Kozaczek is wanted in Massachusetts on charges of larceny of a motor vehicle and kidnapping of a minor by a relative.

Cheryl Kozaczek's booking photo

WESTFIELD -- A Westfield woman who triggered a multi-state AMBER alert on Oct. 31 when she abducted her 3-month-old daughter, pleaded guilty in Virginia to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and now awaits rendition to Massachusetts, according to media reports.

Cheryl Kozaczek was sentenced to 12 months in jail, with 11 months of the sentence suspended, and three years probation on the single charge during her trial Thursday in Emporia, Va., according to CBS3 Springfield, media partner of The Republican and Masslive.com

Two felony charges, including child endangerment, were dropped. Kozaczek will remain in jail until she is transported to Massachusetts. The state has until Jan. 28 to arrange for her transport to Massachusetts, according to CBS3

She is wanted in Massachusetts on a warrant issued by Westfield police for larceny of a motor vehicle and kidnapping of a minor by a relative.

Police said Kozaczek, 28, took her daughter from her parents’ home on Woodmont Street in Westfield about 1 a.m. and headed south. Kozaczek does not have legal custody of her child.

State police, fearful for the baby’s safety, triggered an Amber Alert on Oct. 31. Their counterparts in Virginia stopped the vehicle in Emporia, Va. later that day. The baby was not harmed, police said.

Her daughter remains in foster care.

Store staff recognized the unpaying duo from the previous night, police said.

Republican file photo

HOLYOKE - The second attempt proved to be trouble for a man and juvenile female trying to shoplift carts of groceries Thursday, police said.

Christopher Garcia, 19, of 126 Waldo St. and a 15-year-old girl both were charged with two counts of larceny over $250 after police were called to the Stop & Shop at 28 Lincoln St., because they had walked out without paying for $964 in food and other items, Lt. Michael J. Higgins said.

Store staff called police just before 7:30 p.m. after recognizing the duo from the previous night, when they left without paying for $527 worth of groceries, Higgins said. Garcia was set to be arraigned Friday in Holyoke District and the girl would be taken to Juvenile Court, he said.

The boy and his mother were found safe in Rhode Island.

Anthony Bunce Connecticut State Police

SIMSBURY, Conn. — Connecticut State Police have canceled the Amber Alert for 3-year-old Anthony Bunce of Simsbury.

The case was resolved just after 9 p.m. when the boy and his mother, Yolanda Bunce, 40, were found safe in Rhode Island, according to CBS 3 Springfield, media partner of The Republican and MassLive.com.

About two hours earlier, police had said Anthony was seen with his mother sometime between 3 and 3:30 p.m. at the state armory on Broad Street in Hartford. Police cited witnesses saying the boy's mother was "not coherent."

The university system announced in September a record high for enrollment for the fall 2012 semester, with 70,874 students across the 5 campuses.

University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret. Republican file photo

BOSTON – University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret Thursday warned of the UMass system potentially “becoming private” should government subsidies continue to decrease.

“We are becoming private, we’re just not there yet, and we may be forced in that direction,” Caret said.

Following an address to a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday, Caret said if UMass goes in the direction of a more private university “a lot of people are going to suffer” due to decreasing government subsidies that force the university to put more financial burden on students through tuition and fee increases.

“We’re taking on things public universities never paid for and if we’re going to pay for them, we need revenue, so it changes the whole structural model,” Caret said, singling out expenses such as debt service and tuition discounts and subsidies.

“It would be a long time, but what will happen, particularly if you become privatized – what that means is that tuition goes up and up and up – at some point, enrollment has to go down, down, down. You just can’t get enough students who can afford it, who want to come, to come at the level we’re running today without a subsidy,” Caret said.

The university system announced in September a record high for enrollment for the fall 2012 semester, with 70,874 students across the five campuses. Enrollment system-wide has risen by 16 percent over the past five years, according to UMass.

Caret on Thursday announced that the university plans to issue an accountability report by the spring of 2013 to “shine a bright light on what we are doing and how we are doing.”

Want to know Welker's value in one line? Tom Brady has targeted him more than 500 times over the last four seasons, with only four of those passes going for interceptions. That kind of chemistry can't be easily replicated, which will lead to big decisions this offseason when Welker becomes a free agent.

FOXBOROUGH – It seems so long ago, but there was a moment in September when the New England Patriots tried to become less dependent on Wes Welker.

Even after franchising Welker during the offseason, a move that cost the Patriots more than $9 million, the team was determined to find a way to move beyond him. So early in the season, the coaching staff plugged Julian Edelman into Welker's spot at slot receiver and hoped for the best.

It didn't take long for the negative reviews to roll in as the New England offense looked forced and awkward without Welker on the field. The plan was aborted when Edelman suffered a hand injury and Welker was placed back into his old role. The offense quickly bounced back, and Welker's play since has ensured that he'll remain a focal point of the offense for now and into the future.

The quick change in fortunes after the swap should have come as a surprise to no one.

Teams may be reluctant to invest heavy dollars on receivers who have the guts to patrol the middle of the field, and many are interchangeable, but the elite ones are often among the most valuable players on the field. The reason is because it takes a unique set of skills to truly excel in the slot.

Unlike outside receivers who only a few options on any given route – if any at all – Welker has to read the defense, make various adjustments on the fly, and hope that all of his various decisions lead him exactly where Tom Brady expects him to be without ever speaking a word to the quarterback.

After spending six seasons together, Welker and Brady can close their eyes and know that, more times than not, the other one is twisting the kaleidoscope in the same direction. That kind of chemistry can only be born through time, and it's why Edelman was never going to measure up.

"The visual communication between [a quarterback and slot receiver] is, I think, more difficult," coach Bill Belichick said. "I'm not saying it's easier outside. There's just more variables inside, especially when you get into option routes and decision-making. ... It has to be exactly what the quarterback thinks you're going to do so you don't go behind the linebacker when he thinks you're going in front of him and it's a bad interception."

There haven't been many bad interceptions -- or really any interceptions at all -- thrown Welker's direction during his time in New England. Brady has targeted Welker 531 times since the 2009 season, with only four resulting in interceptions.

The rest of the passes over that span resulted in 411 receptions catches for 4,726 yards and 23 touchdowns, including the 80 receptions and 961 yards Welker is sitting on this season.

For comparison's sake, four of the last 41 passes Brady has thrown to Edelman were picked off. Looking at that ratio, it's no wonder that the offense wasn't quite able to hum when Welker, who for so long has been Brady's security blanket, was sidelined.

"Teammates like Wes Welker and Deion Branch that I've had for a long time – I've never needed to say anything to those guys, they just, they're always in the right place, they're always doing the right thing and that's why I have so much trust and confidence in them," Brady said shortly before Branch was released earlier this month. "That's why you choose to throw the ball to them – the execution is at such a high level because we both have trust that we're both going to be doing the same exact thing at the right time at the right moment in the most important situations."

That level of chemistry makes Welker one of the most irreplaceable members of the team and will lead to tough decisions this offseason when Welker hits free agency.

If the Patriots decide to let him walk after the season, it may not be as simple as bringing back Edelman (also a free agent after this season) or importing someone like Danny Amendola from St. Louis and placing him into the slot.

The chemistry building process would have to start all over, and it could take a significant amount of time before someone gains Brady's trust the way Welker has.

It may even be unfair to even ask someone to try to measure up. It's quite possible that no one ever will in Brady's eyes.

"[Welker is] everything you look for in a teammate – his worth ethic, his attitude, his ability. He's very selfless; he does everything that he can to help the team win," Brady said. "There's no better teammate than Wes Welker. I'm glad he's on our team. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to play with him for as long as I have."  

What Brady didn't say is that he hopes it lasts a lot longer, but he didn't need to. His feelings in that regard are apparent every Sunday and every time he talks about his favorite target. 

Kiltie is well known at Mont Marie Health Center in Holyoke, where she is a frequent visitor to the nursing home.

Ann Marie ("Nancy") Pratt takes brings cheer to the Mont Marie Health Center when she takes her Scottish terrier Kiltie II with her. Don Treeger, The Republican (file)

Ann Marie ("Nancy") Pratt takes brings cheer to the Mont Marie Health Center when she takes her Scottish terrier Kiltie II with her. Photo by Don Treeger

BELCHERTOWN — Gaudium omnibus pueris et tuellis!

That’s Latin for “Joy to all boys and girls!” and it’s the message from the former head of the foreign languages department at Longmeadow High School.

Her name is Ann Marie (“Nancy”) Austin Pratt, of Belchertown, and at 81 she is a longtime donor to Toy for Joy.

This year Pratt sent three donations – one in honor of her late parents, one in honor of her late husband, and one in the name of her two furry companions, a dog named Kiltie II and a cat named Eighty, who are still very much alive. Eighty wandered into her life the year Pratt turned 80.

Kiltie is well known at Mont Marie Health Care Center in Holyoke, where she is a frequent visitor to the nursing home.

Pratt has always had animals in her life. Her father, Francis Austin, was a veterinarian, and young Nancy was his “constant companion.”

In fact, she planned to be a veterinarian until she got to Mount Holyoke College and studied French and Latin.

Her father was the first veterinarian in the country to use penicillin on an animal, a Guernsey Bull in Hardwick, during World War II, said Pratt.

Pratt also recalls that in 1944, her mother, Ann, sewed an “oxygen tent” out of burlap for Dr. Austin to use in the treatment of another bull, this one in Hampden. The story was featured in Life Magazine.

Pratt never had children of her own, but she is surrounded by a huge extended family on Belchertown lands that go back to her grandfather – a man who used to drive his draft horses to Bondsville to clear the land for the building of the former St. Bartholomew Church.

“My father was from a family of 11,” said Pratt. As a result, she is surrounded by five generations of relatives, including little children.

She has one sister, Margaret Moran, and is proud to be godmother to another veterinarian named Dr. Austin – Megan Austin, who specializes in equine medicine in Kentucky. For her graduation from veterinary school, Pratt presented her with a book she had written about Dr. Francis Austin.

Pratt was getting over a traumatic divorce when, on Valentine’s day of 1992, one of her uncles asked if she would like to move back to Belchertown. When she said yes, he gave her the gift of the lot on which she built her home.

Three years later, when she was over 60, Pratt married a widower. He was chairman of the science department in Longmeadow High.

The memory of her “wonderful, compassionate husband” is part of what makes her who she is, says Nancy Pratt. And who she is will make Christmas brighter for the children who benefit from Toy for Joy.

Toy for Joy registration is taking place at Salvation Army locations throughout the Pioneer Valley. For more information on Toy for Joy, call 733-7581. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon at The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. until Dec. 21.

Here’s the most recent list of generous spirits who contributed to Toy for Joy: 

— In gratitude, Anne H. $25 

—In memory of my Mom, I love you from Beth $25 

—In memory of our son Chris from Joe and Mary $25 

—In memory of Gary Lockwood $10 

—In loving memory of Dr. and Mrs. Francis M. Austin $30 

—In loving memory of Edward A. Pratt $100 

—From Kiltie II and Eighty, pets who love children $20 

—God Bless $20 

—Paul and Mary $100 

—In loving memory of my husband Herb Curry $10 

—In thanksgiving for my grandchildren Caelin, Brenna and Ronan from Nanie Curry $10 

—In memory of Ray Dupre $5 

—In memory of Helen Knight $10 

—In loving memory of Timothy P. Martin by his family $25 

—In memory of John Martone, Walter Kasheta and Kevin Stefanik from Eva M. $30 

—In memory of Marty, Sis, Francis Martone, Joe, Theresa, Jim, Tom Martone and Madeline Bressani from Eva M. $40 

RECEIVED: $485 
TOTAL TO DATE: $3,355 
STILL NEEDED: $146,645

The award, the highest honor given by Springfield police, has only been awarded 25 times previously. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD – For bravery, valor, dedication, and, in one case, for paying the ultimate sacrifice, four Springfield police officers and one Massachusetts State Police trooper were awarded the department’s Medal of Honor.

In a ceremony before friends, family and fellow officers in the auditorium of Central High School, the department’s highest honor was bestowed upon officer Kevin Ambrose, who was killed in the line of duty in June, and Springfield Police Lt. Alberto Ayala and officers Raul Gonzalez and Marcus Starks, and state trooper Stephen Gregorczyk, who were all involved in a shoot-out with a fugitive and murder suspect in April 2011.

Before the evening concluded, a surprise fifth medal was given to Police Commissioner William Fitchet, for his role in a July 18 standoff in Ludlow in which he wrestled the gun away from a suicidal man.

After the award was presented to him by Mayor Domenic Sarno, a speechless Fitchet could only say into the microphone “I wasn’t expecting this.”

Sarno in his opening remarks said he has found humility as a common element among police officers.

Ask any one of them about the events they were honored for, and the common answer would be “We’re just doing our jobs,” Sarno said. “Every day and every night when the call comes in, these men and women in blue -- with integrity, professionalism and courage -- answer that call.”

Ambrose’s family, his widow Carla and two children Krista and Kyle accepted the award in his place.

Kevin Ambrose

Ambrose, 55, a 36-year-police veteran, was shot multiple times on June 4 as he responded alone to a domestic call for an apartment on Lawton Street.

Shawn Bryan, a New York City corrections officer, was attempting to barricade himself in an apartment with his estranged girlfriend, Charlene Mitchell, and Ambrose was shot as he attempted to force his way through the door. Bryan then shot him several more times in the hallway, and then shot Ambrose, and then shot Mitchell, critically injuring her. Bryan would later commit suicide.

Fitchet, in reading an account of the incident, said Ambrose’s actions were “second to none. He conducted himself honorably. He sacrificed his life so that others might live. His actions are highly commendable and in keeping with the highest standards of the Springfield Police Department.”

As the account was read, Kyle Ambrose hugged his mother briefly during the passage where the officer succumbed to his injuries.

Afterward, he said, such moments are hard on the family, but everyone is doing as well as can be expected. “It’s hard,” he said. “To listen to it over and over, it takes its toll.”

Gonzalez and Starks stood in for Ayala and Trooper Gregorczyk, who had separate family obligations and could not make the ceremony.

The four were involved April 30, 2011 shoot out on Cambridge Street with Tamik Kirkland, an escaped prisoner and homicide suspect, who was hiding in the trunk of a car.

Springfield police officer Raul Gonzalez, seen here at the scene of the April 30, 2011 shootout on Cambridge Street, displays the bullet-proof vest that blocked a bullet. Gonzalez was honored with two other officers and a state trooper Thursday with the Medal of Honor for their actions in the shootout. File photo / The Republican

Gonzalez and Gregorczyk were shot during the incident but escaped injury to due their protective vests. Kirkland, who was shot several times but survived, is scheduled for trial on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, in early April.

Gonzalez and Starks each said before the ceremony they were thrilled to receive the award in front of friends, family and peers.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the city of Springfield, my fellow officers and the bosses,” said Starks, a 24-year veteran.

Gonzalez said the greatest honor is to share the moment with the Ambrose family. “Kevin Ambrose gave his life for the department and for (the Mitchell family). I’m happy to be here with them as he is honored.”

Both Starks and Gonzalez said the shoot out on Cambridge Street happened lightning quick, and all of the officers involved resorted to their training as they responded.

“Things slowed way down and then it got real,” said Starks said. He said one moment he was standing by the stopped car, and in the next second, the trunk popped open and there was gunfire.

Gonzalez, a 16-year veteran who ordinarily is a K-9 officer but that day was working undercover, said it happened so fast. He said he did not know until later that children were in the same car that Kirkland was hiding in, and each day he is thankful that none of them were hurt in the gunfire.

He and Gregorczyk were each struck in their protective vests by gunfire but escaped injury. Gonzalez said with the excitement and adrenaline of the moment, he never felt anything. He said he did not want to look at his vest afterward, and to this day does not know where exactly on his torso he was hit.

“We got to work every day, knowing that something like that can happen,” he said. “It can happen at any time.”

Audio from the Medal of Honor ceremony

Prior to Thursday, the Medal of Honor has only been awarded 25 times previously by the police. The most recent recipient was officer Edward F. Cass who was honored in 2003 for his attempt to rescue a drowning canoeist.

In making Fitchet the 29th recipient, Sarno said the commissioner demonstrated the highest level of courage during his role in the July 18 standoff in Ludlow. The suspect, retired Springfield police officer George Stuart, 71, was attempting to shoot himself and Fitchet moved to stop him. Stuart managed to shoot himself in the struggle but survived, and Fitchet suffered burns to his hand from the gun barrel as he held onto the gun while it was being fired.

Sarno said he and several others, including Ludlow Police Chief James J. McGowan, thought it appropriate to honor Fitchet’s heroism at the same time others were being recognized for their bravery.

“He put his life on the line,” Sarno said.

The award had to be done in secret, he said, because Fitchet, who Sarno said is an extremely humble man, would never have agreed to it if he knew in advance.
“If he knew about it, he probably would have arrested me,” Sarno said.

Fitchet afterward said that he was humbled and honored, and also downplayed his actions.

“I was just trying to save someone’s life by doing what any one of them would have done,” he said, gesturing to the many police officers still in the auditorium.

To qualify for a 2 a.m. closing time, bar owners are required to prove that their establishments have a kitchen and serve food to the public.

SPRINGFIELD – Already reeling from a brawl two weeks ago that injured four police officers, Fat Cat Bar & Grill is facing accusations that it falsely claimed to have a kitchen to help secure a 2 a.m. entertainment license.

License Commission Chairman Peter L. Sygnator said the bar will be required to prove that the kitchen at Brick City Pizza is actually part of Fat Cat’s operation, as the bar claimed while applying for a late night entertainment license. Fat Cat’s is located at 232 Worthington St.; Brick City is next door, at 220 Worthington.

Sygnator said the commission has received information that neither Brick City Pizza nor its kitchen is affiliated with Fat Cat’s, leaving the bar with no kitchen - and no basis for keeping the 2 a.m. entertainment license recently approved by the city. Without such a license, bars must stop
music and all other forms of entertainment by 1 a.m.

“They grossly misrepresented what they have for a kitchen,” Sygnator said.

Peter Sygnator

To qualify for a 2 a.m. cut-off, bars were required to prove they had a kitchen and served food to the public; unless it can prove it has a kitchen, Fat Cat’s entertainment cut-off would return to 1 a.m., Sygnator said.

“I can’t imagine they didn’t know they didn’t have a kitchen,” he said.

The bar’s lawyer, V. Van Johnson III of Springfield, said his clients stand by their assertion that Brick City Pizza’s kitchen also serves as the bar’s kitchen.

The bar – owned by Michael Torcia of East Longmeadow – was the scene of a brawl two weeks ago that injured four police officers and led to arrests of 11 patrons. Police said as many as 60 people were involved in the Nov. 17 incident.

Sygnator said no date has been set yet for a hearing on the bar brawl.

The week began with a raucous press conference and ended with at least two developers submitting $25,000 'grants' to the city to move their proposals forward. Watch video

The news that broke last weekend about Eric Suher's plans for a casino at Mountain Park and Mayor Alex B. Morse's willingness to consider the proposal touched off a flurry of casino-related news in the city.

Here's a recap of the week's developments, with links to additional reporting and analysis.

Monday

In a raucous press conference attended by a number of casino opponents, Morse tells reporters Suher had first presented the plan to city officials in September, pledges a transparent process going forward; principals with Paper City Development, rebuffed by Morse earlier this year, revive their plans for a casino at Wyckoff Country Club:

• "Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse defends flip on casino gambling as City Council plans study and Paper City Development reemerges" [Mike Plaisance, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 26, 2012]


• "Raw audio: Remarks by Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse at casino press conference" [Greg Saulmon, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 26, 2012]


• "Holyoke to see Paper City Development's plan for casino after all" [Mike Plaisance, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 26, 2012]


• "Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse hit with shouts from protesters about betrayal, shame for now supporting casino" [Mike Plaisance, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 26, 2012]

Additional links

• In an interview with the Hartford Courant Monday, Suher recalled the role recreation at Mount Tom played in his youth:

  "We grew up skiing at Mount Tom every day after school, because it had night skiing … and we also grew up at Mountain Park, as did all of the Holyoke residents and all of my friends," Suher said. "We all grew up working at either Mountain Park or Mount Tom.

  "And, so, you know, slowly all the amenities that we were so accustomed to as kids just went away. And there was just this apathy in town, where no one really thought it was going to happen, but then, when it did happen, people were just in disbelief. But yet nobody was able to do anything." ["Connecticut Casino Developer Joins Proposal For Gambling Complex In Holyoke, Mass.," Matthew Sturdevant, the Hartford Courant, Nov. 26, 2012]

• A 2007 Boston Globe article offers some background on Len and Mark Wolman, Suher's proposed casino partners. The Wolmans were investors who helped bring Connecticut's Mohegan Sun project to fruition -- and, the Globe reported, "[b]y 2015, the Wolman brothers' receipts are projected to exceed $100 million each from the Mohegan deal, out of the projected $1 billion." ["Casino jackpot went to investors," Sean P. Murphy, the Boston Globe, Dec. 16, 2007]

Tuesday

Councilors weigh in
In a statement posted to Facebook, city councilor at-large and State Rep.-elect Aaron M. Vega said he has "deep concerns" about a casino's implications for the city, and questioned whether a casino can be a part of a plan for a revitalized downtown. ["Holyoke State Rep.-elect Aaron Vega: 'I question whether a casino and a vibrant downtown can coexist'," MassLive.com, Nov. 27, 2012]

Writing on her own website, City Councilor Rebecca Lisi vowed to vote against any casino proposals that come before the City Council. ["Statement on the Mayor's Casino Pivot," blog.votelisi.com, Nov. 27, 2012]

Opposition coalesces on Facebook
Residents opposed to a Holyoke casino formed groups on Facebook within hours of Suher's proposal coming to light. By Tuesday, the group "Mountain Park CasiNO" (Note: you must be logged in to Facebook to access the link) was generating dozens of posts linking to information and news articles about casinos as well as in-depth discussions ranging from plans to write letters to local newspapers to ideas about forming anti-casino political action committees.

Wednesday

Councilors plan opposition
Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi, Ward 7 Councilor Gordon P. Alexander and Ward 4 Councilor Jason P. Ferreira say they'll file a resolution to oppose a casino. ["Some Holyoke councilors line up against Mayor Alex Morse after his casino gambling turn-around," Mike Plaisance, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 28, 2012]

Alex Morse on Rock 102
In an interview with Rock 102 morning hosts Mike Baxendale and John O'Brien, Morse says, "I ran a mayoral campaign, I didn't run an anti-casino campaign," and adds that he could have "shut the door on Eric Suher" without letting residents know about Suher's plan. [Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse discusses casino," Rock 102, Nov. 28, 2012]

Former mayor Sullivan on NEPR
In an interview with New England Public Radio, former mayor Michael J. Sullivan assesses Morse's political future. ["Former Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan Weighs in on Alex Morse's Casino Reversal," Jill Kaufman, NEPR, Nov. 28, 2012]

A call for grants, with a tight deadline
Letters sent by Office of Planning and Development director Marcos A. Marrero to three potential casino developers -- Anthony Ravosa of Paper City Development, Eric Suher of the Iron Horse Entertainment Group and Charles J. Petitti of Holyoke-NonProfit Casino -- request that each developer submit a $25,000 grant to the city by Friday. The grants will "... cover, and cover only, the City’s initial costs of reviewing the proposals to facilitate the appropriate level of review of your proposal," Marrero wrote.

The letters, available in this MassLive.com post, also set forth a preliminary timeline for the city to consider proposals.

Thursday

The casino experience elsewhere
Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse, city Treasurer Jon Lumbra and Director of Planning and Economic Development Marcos Marrero, traveling with a Western Massachusetts contingent as part of the "City2City" program organized by the Federal Reserve of Boston and Philadelphia, visit the Sands Resort Casino at the former Bethlehem Steel property in Pennsylvania. "It is important for a mayor to consider the financial impact of a project like this and to take every aspect of it into consideration," Morse tells a reporter from The Republican. "That's why we're here fact-finding and trying to see if this is something we want to happen in Holyoke. It's what I pledged on Monday and what I intend to do." ["Pennsylvania officials say Bethlehem casino is economic engine, but caution that much work needs to be done ahead of approval," Robert Rizzuto, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 29, 2012]

A 'nonprofit' casino plan
A third potential casino proposal emerges, with Charles J. Petitti of Newton announcing his vision for a $300-million, nonprofit casino venture called "the Good Samaritan Casino Hotel" at 195 Appleton St. ["Holyoke could get 3rd casino project, but it's at least $200 million short of state requirement", Mike Plaisance, The Republican / MassLive.com, Nov. 29, 2012]

Records on file with the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Corporations Division show Petitti formed a business entity on Nov. 29, 2011 called Good Samaritan Gaming Corp. The partially handwritten form states the company was formed to engage in "GAMEING FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES" (sic):

Good Samaritan Casino Corp. Articles of Organization

Petitti has had a long-standing interest in building a gaming destination in the city.

In Feb. 2010, according to a document on file [see the pdf] with the Massachusetts Secretary of State's Corporations Division, Petitti formed a business entity called "Holyoke Emporium, Inc." The purpose of the company, the document reads, was "to construct, operate, and market an entertainment emporium located in the City of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and elsewhere, including, as and when allowed by the Commonwealth, a gaming facility; and to advocate for the legislative approval thereof."

In a 2003 Boston Globe article, Petitti is quoted in response to a provision in an early version of the state's expand gambling law that would've allowed a state Gaming Commission "... to take land by eminent domain and resell it for top dollar to casino developers":

In Holyoke, developer Charles J. Petitti has sat on a 3-acre downtown property for about a decade, hoping to convert it into a small urban casino. He called the state's plan to use eminent domain powers "a shame."

"I would cooperate with anything they come up with at this point, but it would be a shame to go down that route," he said.

State records also list Petitti as a principal in a business entity formed in 1999 called Pilgrim Entertainment and Gaming Inc.

Additional links

• City Councilor Rebecca Lisi tells New England Public Radio: "While we're in this phase, we need to make sure that information is accessible, that the public has access to these proposals, and that we are crafting the best possible proposal and host community agreement while we're indicating this pathway." [Holyoke City Councilors Plan Opposition to Casino, NEPR, Nov. 29, 2012]


• City Councilor Dan Bresnahan, speaking to Rock 102 morning hosts Mike Baxendale and John O'Brien, calls Morse's handling of the casino situation "embarrassing," and says a casino at Mountain Park would be the "final nail in the coffin" for downtown Holyoke. ["Holyoke City Councilor Dan Bresnahan," Rock 102, Nov. 29, 2012]

Friday

Suher, Paper City Development meet 'grant' deadline
The Mountain Park and Wyckoff Country Club proposals move forward as both development groups meet the city's deadline to submit a $25,000 grant. Charles J. Petitti does not submit the money to advance his 'nonprofit casino' plan. ["Holyoke casino documents: Deadline looms for prospective developers to deliver $25,000 'grant' to city; Mayor Alex Morse calls for 'Community Committee'," MassLive.com, Nov. 30, 2012]

Ameristar backs out of its Springfield proposal
Ameristar Casinos drops its plans for a $910 million resort casino on property it owns on Page Boulevard in East Springfield. The company faced a Dec. 14 city-imposed deadline to pay $650,000 in local and state application fees. With Ameristar's exit, only two players -- Penn National and MGM -- are vying to build a casino in Springfield. ["Ameristar Casinos drops plans for Springfield casino," MassLive.com, Nov. 30, 2012]

Marrero weighs in
On his personal website, Office of Planning and Development director Marcos A. Marrero posts an article outlining his position on the casino issue. He writes

I fully support the Mayor’s strategy to study and consider gaming-licensed resort proposals for Holyoke. Simply put, it is hard to categorically exclude a potential type of development for our city without taking a hard look at what it would entail. This is what we’ve set out to do. ["My thoughts on the Casino Question," marcosmarrero.com, Nov. 30, 2012]

Additional links

• Writing at the website Western Mass Politics and Insight, Matt Szafranski provides a long analysis of Morse's casino position. If Morse plays his cards right, Szafranski concludes, he might be able to avoid being a one-term mayor -- maybe: "If Morse can rebuild bridges and re-energize his coalition, he still could defeat any opponent. That is no assurance that he will." ["Analysis: A Tough Fight, Only Morse-so…," Western Mass Politics and Insight, Nov. 30, 2012]


• Jill Kaufman of New England Public radio interviews Morse supporters. ["Morse Followers React to Potential Casino in Holyoke, and One Developer Jumps Back In," Jill Kaufman, NEPR, Nov. 30, 2012]

The two pitchers could still sign minor league contracts with Boston.

Boston Red Sox reliever Scott Atchison is a free agent after the club did not tender him a contract by the deadline for arbitration eligible players. Associated Press

The Red Sox did not tender contracts to outfielder Ryan Sweeney and pitchers Scott Atchison and Rich Hill Friday, which means they become free agents

Atchison and Hill could sign minor league contracts and bid for spots on the Red Sox roster. They can also shop themselves to other teams, as can Sweeney, who broke his hand punching a door in frustration last July, but could appeal to teams needing outfield depth.

Eight other Red Sox players were arbitration eligible. The Red Sox were expected to offer all of them contracts by Friday's midnight deadline.

That would put Jacoby Ellsbury, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, Franklin Morales, Andrew Miller and Craig Breslow under Red Sox control for 2013.

The club could then trade them, negotiate a contract or submit to arbitration if an agreement cannot be reached.

The Sector 1 Beat Management meeting precedes the regular meeting, with residents invited to bring any police and crime concerns.

SPRINGFIELD — The Outer Belt Civic Association has scheduled a meet for Dec. 4, at the Christian Life Center, 1590 Sumner Avenue Extension, to include discussion of a new liquor license proposed in the neighborhood.

The Sector 1 Beat Management meeting begins at 6:15 p.m., with residents invited to bring any police and crime concerns. The Sector 1 meeting will be followed by the association’s monthly meeting.

The discussion at the regular meeting will regard GMCA INC, doing business as Christopher's Sports Tavern, and its proposal for an all-alcohol license at the Five Town Plaza.

A casino review committee of residents and others will be formed to help the mayor consider casino options.

Holyoke Mayor Alex B. Morse announces Monday that he has changed his mind on casino issue The Republican file / Dave Roback

HOLYOKE - Two of the three groups proposing a casino met the sudden deadline that the city set of Friday and submitted $25,000 grants to cover project review costs, an official said.

The review grants were part of the initial establishment of standards the city set to ensure casino projects meet minimum criteria to merit negotiation of a host-city agreement to put a gaming resort here, officials said.

The process will include formation of a casino review committee to advise Mayor Alex B. Morse on casino options. Letters of interest from people who want to be on the committee will be accepted until 2 p.m. Thursday by contacting Personnel Administrator Robert Robert G. Judge at (413) 322-5555 or judger@ci.holyoke.ma.us

“I have also indicated that I am dedicated to moving quickly to keep Holyoke at the table, and to have an efficient review process that ensures a transparent and engaged discussion of the options presented to the city," Morse said in a prepared statement.

Also, a spokesman for Connecticut developers that entertainment venue owner Eric Suher said he is negotiating with for his proposal at Mountain Park - Len and Mark Wolman of the Waterford Group -- said they will present their casino resort plan to Morse and the review committee on Dec. 20 or 21, as specified in the city's criteria timeline.

"We have been in negotiations with Eric Suher and city officials in Holyoke on a casino proposal. We look forward to continuing those conversations and hope to finalize the details on this exciting project. We will provide further information as it becomes available," said an email signed by Len Wolman.

The email was provided by Conor Yunits of Liberty Square Group, of Boston, on behalf of the Wolmans and Suher.

The two casino groups that submitted the $25,000 grant Friday were Suher and Paper City Development, a limited liability group that wants to put a casino at Wyckoff Country Club on the Mount Tom Range, City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra said.

But the city didn't get a $25,000 project-review grant from the Good Samaritan Casino Hotel, Lumbra said.

Charles J. Petitti, of Newton, said in a telephone interview Thursday he is proposing a nonprofit gaming facility under that name for a five-story building he owns at 195 Appleton St. The site is near the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center downtown.

It was unclear how the nonprofit part of the casino would work, with Petitti saying charities would benefit from the facilitiy’s profits.

The viability of Petitti's project also was in question because the state gaming law requires casino projects be a minimum of $500 million and Petitti said his will be about $300 million.

“Ours is going to come out a little lower than that,” said Petitti, saying laws can be amended.

Failure to submit the grant doesn't disqualify a developer, said Marcos A. Marrero, director of the city Office of Planning and Economic Development.

The timeline was so tight, with developers getting letters from the city dated Wednesday, because Morse wanted the City Council to consider the grants at its next meeting Tuesday and the deadline to submit items for the agenda was Friday, he said. Council approval is required for the city to accept all grants.

"I don't consider this to be a deadline but we needed to suggest this day to keep pace with the short timeline we're facing," Marrero said.

As for the reason for the $25,000 grant, he said, "This is not a fee, but a voluntary grant in order for us to be able to pay for a consultant to assist us throughout this process so we can decide whether the proposals meet the threshold we would like met to negotiate a host agreement."

Under the gaming law the state established in November 2011, a Gaming Commission will review proposals and issue three casino licenses in the state, including one for the four-county area of Western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Gaming Commission officials said the first license won't be issued until early 2014.

The activity here comes days after Morse unleashed a storm of criticism by announcing he had changed his position and now would consider casino gambling proposals. The change of heart was based on the reality that gaming plans pitched in nearby communities are so large, the smart step was for Holyoke to try to influence the impact here, he said.

A key reason Morse won election as mayor in November 2011 was that he vowed opposition to a casino here. His turnaround has angered people, including many in Ward 7 who don't want a casino on Mount Tom.

Proposals include two in Springfield, MGM Resorts International, $800 million and Penn National Gaming, $807 million, along with Mohegan Sun's $600 million proposal for Palmer.

Ameristar Casinos announced Friday it was dropping its $910 million bid to put a casino resort in East Springfield.

Paper City Development letter to Holyoke mayor Alex Morse

The victim's mother, who said her family now fears for their lives, began weeping during her testimony, and urged the judge to keep DeCarlo behind bars for as long as possible.

Blaze T. DeCarlo appears in Palmer District Court on Friday for a violation of probation hearing. Michael S. Gordon, The Republican

PALMER — Blaze DeCarlo was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday for parole violations that include his failure to stay away from the then-10-year-old girl he sexually terrorized last year – when he got into her bed at night in her home.

The victim’s mother, who said her family now fears for their lives, began weeping during her testimony and urged the judge to keep DeCarlo behind bars for as long as possible.

DeCarlo, who was initially charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child less than 14 years old, bolted out of the courthouse on his arraignment date of Feb. 28, 2011.

After being apprehended in Maine, DeCarlo was arrested, then brought back to Massachusetts. He was found guilty on both indecent assault charges.

DeCarlo was placed on probation for concurrent three-year sentences last year as punishment for the assaults. Among the multiple probation conditions, he was precluded from having any contact with the victim and was supposed to remain drug free.

The 41-year-old Maine resident in September allegedly broke into the same Wilbraham home where last year’s assault occurred.

And now DeCarlo faces four new charges: breaking and entering in the daytime with the intent of committing a felony; two counts of witness intimidation; and criminal harassment.

Although his next court date is scheduled for Jan. 7 at district court, authorities say the new allegations are likely to go before a grand jury in the coming weeks.

Standing handcuffed and unshaven, DeCarlo admitted to Judge Patricia Poehler that he violated his probation conditions during the emotional and at times dramatic hearing at Palmer District Court that began in the morning and did not end until nearly 3 p.m. on Friday.

The victim’s mother spoke in open court.

She said her daughter is petrified, fears for her life, believes DeCarlo wants to murder her and is not doing well in school. She told the judge DeCarlo will come after them when he gets out of jail.

“The thing that bothers me the most is his crimes have not stopped against my daughter,” the mother said. “None of you can stop him. Keep him incarcerated as long as you can. She needs to feel confidence again. I believe he will be back at my doorstep someday.”

Four Wilbraham policemen attended the hearing. In an interview, Sgt. Daniel Carr said, “I don’t disagree with her. There’s a possibility he (DeCarlo) will arrive on someone’s doorstep.”

DeCarlo’s lawyer, Springfield attorney Albert Gilbert, said his client was under the influence of drugs when he went to the Wilbraham home in September – prompting the judge to say: “he was supposed to remain drug free.”

Twice during the hearing DeCarlo interrupted the proceedings, once to say he possessed drugs, and just before sentencing he said, “I am going to say the truth.”

His lawyer approached him, they held a brief conference, and DeCarlo said: “I won’t say nothing, your honor.”

The victim’s mother attended the hearing with a relative who had been romantically involved with DeCarlo.

In an interview, the victim’s mother said that on the night DeCarlo assaulted her daughter, their dog ran up the stairs to the girl’s bedroom, that DeCarlo became startled and exited the room, and went outside to smoke a cigarette. At that point, the victim came into the mother’s bedroom quite shaken, telling her what happened. While the mother was calling police and consoling her daughter, she said DeCarlo had gone back upstairs to the girl’s bedroom.

Assistant Hampden District Attorney Lori Odierna was the prosecutor.

The reigning East Conference champions recovered from a 17-point deficit only to fizzle in the fourth quarter.

Springfield Armor coach Bob MacKinnon had his team ready for the home opener Friday night. Christopher Marion Sr.

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Armor's home opener was really a three-part story.

There was the rough start, followed by the uplifting comeback. But the Sioux Falls Skyforce spoiled the script by writing their own ending to claim a 118-111 NBA Development League victory at the MassMutual Center Friday night.

Armor coach Bob MacKinnon didn't see much on the positive side, even though his team turned a 17-point deficit into a seven-point third-quarter lead.

"We want to be the aggressors, but they were and we weren't,'' MacKinnon said.

"It started at the beginning of the game. We didn't come out and play, and that meant we were playing from behind and on our heels.''

The Armor overcame a poor start with a relentless, attacking style. They had Sioux Falls looking fatigued by the third quarter, when Springfield took its first lead at 63-62.

The Armor wound up taking a whopping 105 shots, but made only 40 percent. They won the boards 53-46 and had 22 offensive rebounds, but could not put on the finishing touches.

"The worst four-letter word in basketball is 'soft,' and we were,'' MacKinnon said.

A crowd of 4,755 included honors students from 13 local schools, who were saluted in a pregame feature.

Christian Polk scored 21 points for the Armor, including a 3-point basket that lifted Springfield to a 107-all tie with 1:50 to play.

That is when Sioux Falls center Jarvis Varnado took over with an old-fashioned three-point play, a blocked shot and a short jumper.

That made it 112-107 with 56 seconds left. Sioux Falls ran off nine straight points after Polk's 3-point shot.

James Mays scored 16 points with 12 rebounds, Ben Uzoh and Carleton Scott had 15 each, and dunkmaster Willie Reed scored 14 for Springfield, whose fourth D-League season is off to a 1-1 start.

The Armor will be home again Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Defending East Conference champion Springfield didn't do much defending at the outset Friday. Sioux Falls took the lead after four seconds and led 55-38 in the second quarter.

Chas McFarland's basket gave Springfield a 63-62 lead with 8:44 left in the third. It was the season opener for McFarland, who sat out last week's win at Canton to serve a one-game suspension that carried over from last season.

The Armor sustained momentum into the fourth, then ran out of steam.

There wasn't much need for a shot clock in the first quarter. The teams played and scored at an electric pace, Sioux Falls getting much the better of it for a 42-29 lead.

The Skyforce shot 75 percent in the quarter, hitting 18 of 24. The Armor defense stiffened in the second, holding Sioux Falls to 7-for-23 shooting.

Trailing by 14, Springfield scored 11 straight points before Varnado's dunk gave Sioux Falls a 60-55 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Armor led by as many as seven (81-74) before coming out of the quarter with an 85-83 edge.

But Sioux Falls had the fresher legs at the end. They scored 77 of their points in the first and fourth quarters.

Andrew Goudelock led the Skyforce with 24 points, almost all of them in the first and fourth.

Varnado had 21 points, seven rebounds and eight blocked shots. Troy Hudson scored 20.

The Armor did not help themselves at the free-throw line, going 18 for 30. MacKinnon thought it was more about toughness than numbers.

"Give (Sioux Falls) credit,'' he said. "They have good players, as we do, and they came in and took it to us.''

Organizers of the Holyoke Police mustache contest hoped to raise $500 for Special Olympics. Instead they raised $1,500.

HOLYOKE — By the time November draws to a close, many officers with the Holyoke Police Department will be happily on their way to a clean-shaven December.

“I can’t wait to get rid of this thing,” officer Ryan Tabb said of the pencil-thin, feint whisper of a mustache that appears over his upper lip.

“Believe it or not, it’s been a month,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get this thing off my face,” said officer Sean Shattuck of his Fu Manchu-style mustache that extends past the corners of his mouth in two parallel lines that go past his jaw line.

“I hate it. It won’t be there in the morning,” he said. “But it’s for a good cause.”

Tabb, Shattuck and 43 other officers within the department took part in a month-long campaign to see who could grow the most impressive mustache as part of a fund-raising effort to aid Special Olympics.

“We’ll be happy when the month is over so we can shave,” said Lt. Matthew F. Moriarity. “For a while I was like the kid in chemistry class going ‘look, I’m growing a mustache.’

The contest was in line with the national “Movember” mustache-growing campaign where men put away their razors for the entire month of November as a way to raise money for various causes.

With December hours away, the Holyoke police officers gathered at J.P’s Restaurant Friday night to celebrate the end of the campaign and to award prizes. Brendan Boyle won the best mustache title, Richard Connor won the worst, and Edward Sustache took home the coveted third prize, known as "the Ron Jeremy" for growing the best mustache befitting a 1980s porn star.

Examples of different mustache styles from a printed handout at Friday night's Holyoke Police mustache contest. courtesy of Holyoke police

Three of the contestants in the Holyoke Police mustache contest, from left, court officer Joey Jones, Lt. Matthew Moriarty, officer Ryan Tabb The Republican | Patrick Johnson

Tabb won the worst mustache award last year. He has a plaque somewhere at home. Growing facial hair does not come easy, he said. “I don’t even try.”

Moriarty said the contest, in its second year and sponsored by the Holyoke Police Officers Ball Committee, was wildly successful.

The contest this year set out to raise money for the Special Olympics in honor of Michael Connor, the son of officer Richard Connor, who died Oct. 2 at age 24.

Officers participating pony up $20 to enter, and Moriarty said they thought the effort would raise $500.

Instead they collected close to $1,500, he said.

When word of the contest spread, donations starting coming in from all corners.
First, some female members of the department, who obviously are handicapped when it comes to a mustache-growing contest, began donating money. Then came members of the City Council and city departments, Moriarty said.

And when the contest got some publicity in the local press, contributions started coming in from the general public, he said.

“Citizens were just coming in off the street to donate,” Moriarty said. “The community was very receptive. There were donations of $20 to $100. It was incredible.”

Moriarty said he planned to keep his mustache until Dec. 8, which is when he is scheduled to present the check to the Special Olympics as part of the Jolly Jaunt road race in Springfield.

Knowing of the community support for a good cause was a rare comfort in a contest that had its share of irritability, itching and even in some cases, isolation.

Court officer Joey Jones said his wife likes his neatly trimmed, salt-and-pepper goatee in theory but is not so crazy about it in practice.

“My wife likes the idea of why we’re doing it, but she doesn’t like it on me. And my daughters hate it,” he said. “But some people have said it makes me look sophisticated.”

Jones, a 30-year veteran, said he has had beards before, when he was younger and used to do undercover work, but he prefers being clean-shaven.

“I might keep it a little while longer, but I’m going to shave,” he said.

The zone off Rhode Island and Massachusetts, which sits a little about 10 miles off Rhode Island's shore, will be leased in two parcels.

FILE - In this July 11, 2006 file photo, a vessel sails towards a wind farm off the coast of Whitstable on the north Kent coast in southeastern England. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will announce Wednesday, April 28, 2010, his decision whether the Cape Wind project can proceed off the Cape Cod coast in Massachusetts, clearing the way for the construction of a 130-turbine wind farm in the Nantucket Sound. (AP Photo/David Bebber, Pool, File) File photo / Associated Press

By MICHELLE R. SMITH

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The federal government plans to sell leases for wind farms off the coasts of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Virginia, marking the first time it has sold competitive leases for wind energy on the outer continental shelf, officials said Friday.

The leases for the two areas, which total more than 430 square miles, will be sold next year, the Department of Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said.

"Wind energy along the Atlantic holds enormous potential, and today we are moving closer to tapping into this massive domestic energy resource to create jobs, increase our energy security and strengthen our nation's competitiveness in this new energy frontier," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a written statement.

The announcement was hailed by the conservation group Oceana, which called it a major step in developing domestic clean energy.

"We're getting a step closer to seeing real turbines out there in the water," said Nancy Sopko, the group's ocean advocate. "The more progress is made, it sends that signal out to the rest of the world that the U.S. is serious about developing wind energy here."

The zone off Rhode Island and Massachusetts, which sits a little about 10 miles off Rhode Island's shore, will be leased in two parcels. The Virginia area, about 27 miles off the southern part of the state, will be available as a single lease, the Department of Interior said. Officials said each area could be developed to generate enough electricity to power 700,000 homes.

The plan is part of an Obama administration strategy to focus energy development in areas with the greatest potential and to work with states, commercial fishermen and other stakeholders early in the process to address possible conflicts, said Tommy P. Beaudreau, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

There are no offshore wind farms in the United States, although several are already in development off Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. The Rhode Island and New Jersey developments are in state waters, while the Delaware lease was not awarded in a competitive process, Sopko said.

The Cape Wind project, in federal waters off Cape Cod in Massachusetts, was the nation's first offshore wind project to be approved and predates the system that has since been put into place, Sopko said. It is scheduled to be up and running in 2015.

A project under development in Rhode Island, which includes just a handful of turbines, is scheduled to go online in 2014, which is would make it the nation's first offshore wind farm.

The former "American Idol" champion and Grammy-winning country star will play Maria von Trapp in a live performance next year.

In this Nov. 18 file photo, Carrie Underwood arrives at the 40th Anniversary American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Underwood will star in NBC's live broadcast of “The Sound of Music” late next year, according to a news release Friday. AP File Photo

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Carrie Underwood will star in NBC's live broadcast of "The Sound of Music" late next year.

A news release says the former "American Idol" champion and Grammy-winning country star will play Maria von Trapp in a live performance based on the musical. It will air around the holidays in 2013.

The role is Underwood's most significant work as an actress yet. She played a small part in the 2011 film "Soul Surfer" and has served as co-host of the Country Music Association Awards for five years.

In von Trapp, she's tackling a beloved character whose popularity has endured for decades. The Rodgers & Hammerstein musical debuted on Broadway in 1959 and the 1965 film starring Julie Andrews won the best picture Academy Award.

UMass put 31 shots on Rawlings, but couldn't break through against the Huskies.

Massachusetts goalie Kevin Boyle had a strong night Friday, but was bested by Northeastern's Chris Rawlings, who stood on his head. Republican file photo

AMHERST — Some nights in hockey belong to the goalie.

Friday was one of those nights for Northeastern’s Chris Rawlings, who stopped 31 University of Massachusetts shots on the way to his 11th career shutout in the Huskies’ 1-0 win over the Minutemen in front of 4,121 fans at the Mullins Center.

“Maybe it’s my English major background – we’re able to score, we just didn’t score,” UMass coach John Micheletto said. “That’s a distinction I’d like to make. I think we’re very capable and able.”

UMass would have its chance to even the score late in the game.

Northeastern’s Josh Manson kneed UMass’ Troy Power as the two went crashing into the boards in the Huskies’ zone, netting Manson a major penalty and a game misconduct, and sending Power to the locker room for the remainder of the contest.

Conor Sheary had a blast a minute into the five-minute long power play that set off a goal celebration throughout the Mullins Center, but it was ruled no goal on the ice and confirmed via replay that it ricocheted off the crossbar, off Rawlings’ back, but never across the goal line.

The previously reliable power play didn’t come through, leaving UMass to its scoreless fate.

It didn’t help that the Minutemen were without Power and defenseman Darren Rowe, both members of the power-play unit. Rowe had gone out in the second period after taking a big hit behind his own net with an apparent arm injury.

The lone Northeastern goal was a short-handed tally with 2:47 remaining in the second period. UMass, in the midst of a 45-second power play after Connor Allen’s interference penalty expired, had the puck in the Huskies’ zone. Unbeknownst to the Minutemen attackers – and virtually everyone else in the building – Northeastern had just three players on the ice because of confusion during a line change.

Once the Huskies figured it out, however, it paid off. Adam Reid jumped onto the ice near the UMass blue line and took a tape-to-tape pass from Dustin Darou. Reid swooped into the zone, deked UMass goalie Kevin Boyle and gave the Huskies the 1-0 lead.

“I really didn’t see him because I had my back to him,” said Sheary, who was on the ice at the time.

The Minutemen really carried the play in the first, outshooting Northeastern 14-4, but Rawlings, making his 105th career start between the pipes for the Huskies, was up to the task. Rawlings stonewalled the Minutemen on multiple odd-man rushes, including a wide-open chance for Colin Shea on the right side that he turned away with just over 8 minutes remaining in the frame.

The second period was more even, but UMass still outplayed the Huskies – leaving Micheletto with only good things to say about his team for the most part.

The promotions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

Springfield police officers during promotion ceremony Friday. From left: Lt. Henry Gagnon, Lt. Thomas Zarelli, Sgt. William Andrews, Sgt. Scott Richard, Sgt. Jessica Henderson, and Sgt. Lawrence Akers. Springfield police photo

SPRINGFIELD – Police Commissioner William Fitchet announced several promotions Friday that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday.

Lt. Larry Brown has been promoted to the rank of captain.

A longtime member of the department’s Internal Investigations Unit, Brown will now be the uniform division commander for the midnight to 8 a.m. shift and will report directly to Deputy Chief Robert McFarlin.

Capt. Larry Brown
Springfield police photo

All will be assigned to the midnight to 8 a.m. shift in the unformed division and report to Brown.

The officers were issued their promotions during a brief ceremony at police headquarters attended by Fitchet and Mayor Domenic Sarno.

The statue itself survived Sandy, but the island suffered a heavy blow.

David Luchsinger, superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument, stands Friday at the back door of his storm-damaged home on Liberty Island. Associated Press

NEW YORK – The Statue of Liberty survived Superstorm Sandy with every crown spike in place, but its surrounding island was so badly damaged that the National Park Service doesn’t know when the beloved tourist attraction will reopen or how much repairs will cost.

A tour of Liberty Island on Friday showed broken railings, torn-up paving stones, damaged equipment and flood-wrecked buildings.

The storm destroyed boilers, sewage pumps and electrical systems, said David Luchsinger, the superintendent of the Statue of Liberty and of the neighboring Ellis Island.

“Our entire infrastructure on both islands, both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, was under water,” he said.

Luchsinger estimated that 75 percent of Liberty Island’s 12 acres was flooded, with water as high as 8 feet. The water would have been chest-high on the plaza that visitors cross en route from the ferry to the statue itself, he said.

Days after the storm, there was a controlled detonation of explosives on Ellis Island. Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst said the explosives were stored there to train bomb-sniffing dogs. They were compromised by the storm and had to be destroyed.

The Oct. 29 storm came one day after the Statue of Liberty’s 126th birthday and the grand reopening of the crown – though the park was closed at the time in advance of the storm. The crown had been closed for a year for a $30 million upgrade to the monument’s fire alarms, sprinkler systems and exit routes.

The rest of the statue was open during that year and had 3.7 million visitors last year, making it the 19th most visited national park in the nation.

Luchsinger said Sandy did not damage any of the work completed during the renovation.

“I can tell you that if you walked in there today it would look like we just reopened it,” he said. “Not one dime of it was lost.”

Historical artifacts on Ellis Island also survived intact, Luchsinger said.

Luchsinger evacuated ahead of the storm and returned Oct. 30, when Liberty Island was covered with mud and debris. Hundreds of National Park Service workers from as far away as California and Alaska have spent the past month cleaning the island and assessing the damage.

Friday’s tour showed there is much still to be done. The main passenger dock was splintered but usable on Friday, while an auxiliary dock in back of the island was in pieces. Generators are supplying most power on the island, though one working transformer lights the statue itself.

A water line several feet high marked the walls, and dried seaweed was still stuck in the chain-link fence.

Luchsinger, 62, has lived on Liberty Island with his wife during his 3½ years as superintendent. But no more. The storm blew the doors and windows out of the low-slung brick house, and the couple lost almost everything they owned.

“I had a digital grand piano in there,” Luchsinger said. “I had a whole bunch of stuff. I had a couple of my mother’s antique Tiffany lamps. ... The water was about 4½ to 5 feet.”

The house and adjoining staff buildings on landfill behind the statue will probably be razed and not rebuilt, Luchsinger said.

“One of the things we want to do is rebuild smartly and sustainably,” he said. “The buildings on the back side of the island are not sustainable. ... To rebuild and have them flooded out again doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. We probably won’t have anybody living on the island any more. I’m probably the last one.”