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Harry's Halftime Three-Pointer: UMass 42, East Carolina 36

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Three thoughts from courtside in Amherst.

Three thoughts from courtside at Mullins Center.

Sloppy Pirates
Sloppy play by East Carolina had a lot to do with why UMass had so much success in the first half, especially early. The Pirates turned the ball over ten times leading to 13 of UMass' 42 points. Raphiael Putney and Jesse Morgan in particular played a large part, harassing various Pirates in the half-court offense and jumping into passing lanes for deflections.

Weak halfcourt offense
The reason the Minutemen got ahead was the fast break — once the game slowed down to set up more half-court offense, UMass struggled at times to get good shots, often struggling for contested or partially contested 3-pointers. This was a huge reason why the Pirates

Vinson 5 away
UMass forward Terrell Vinson went on a personal 8-0 run over a 1:32 stretch in the first half, and totaled 11 points. That puts him at 995 for his career, five away from becoming the 44th 1,000 point scorer in team history.


What to watch for when the Patriots play the Jaguars Sunday

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New England Patriots (10-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12) Where: EverBank Field (grass) When: Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS) Last time out: Dec. 12, 2009: Patriots 35, Jaguars 7 Series record: Patriots hold an 8-1 edge Spread: Patriots by 14.5 Five things to watch Reaction to Ridley: New England coach Bill Belichick has made it clear over the last few years that...

New England Patriots (10-4) at Jacksonville Jaguars (2-12)

Where: EverBank Field (grass)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Last time out: Dec. 12, 2009: Patriots 35, Jaguars 7

Series record: Patriots hold an 8-1 edge

Spread: Patriots by 14.5

Five things to watch

Reaction to Ridley: New England coach Bill Belichick has made it clear over the last few years that he has little patience for players that fail to protect the football. This could put Stevan Ridley in a bad spot. The second-year back has fumbled in consecutive weeks and was seated on the bench for most of the second half during last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. After committing a similar sin last year, Ridley did not see the field in New England’s final two playoff games. Belichick could turn a blind eye and give Ridley another shot, or it could mean an increased role for undrafted rookie Brandon Bolden.

Special teams recovery: If this one is about tuning up some problem areas, then fans should keep an eye on how the special teams units rebound from a poor performance against the 49ers. New England gave up a 31-yard gain on a fake punt and later a 62-yard kickoff return. Those are mistakes that can’t happen during the playoffs if New England hopes to get back to the Super Bowl.

Starter usage: With a potential first-round bye l theoretically within reach, this one may not come into effect until next week’s finale against the Miami Dolphins. But the team has battled injuries all season and would welcome a full and healthy cast for the playoffs. Tom Brady missed a practice this week with a sore shoulder and it’s doubtful that Rob Gronkowski will return from a broken forearm this week, and he could even be left on the shelf for the finale if there is nothing at stake. Still, the starters will almost certainly play, but will Belichick pump the brakes if the team builds a big lead?

Justin Francis: At this point in the season, with almost all mysteries solved, rookie defensive lineman Justin Francis remains an unknown but exciting possibility. Playing 39 snaps against the 49ers and Texans over the last two weeks, Francis showed good burst off the edge. This could be a good opportunity to see if there’s anything more he can provide.

How the Patriots respond: That’s the big theme this week. The Patriots are heading into a situation that could very well prove to be a trap. After giving everything the last two weeks, to play the Jaguars is somewhat of a dud. If their state of mind isn’t right, the Pats could end up getting burned.

Prediction: There are some interesting subplots this week, but you have to look hard to find them. This game should be a blowout and the Patriots will likely look to take some frustrations out on Jacksonville. Patriots 34, Jacksonville 17.

UMass withstands late East Carolina surge for 88-81 victory

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The Minutemen improve to 7-3.

Gallery previewChaz Williams led UMass with 26 points and tied a career-high with 11 assists, as UMass defeated East Carolina 88-81 Saturday afternoon at Mullins Center.

umass1.jpg Cady Lalanne defends as the Pirates' Robert Sampson passes back to Corvonn Gaines as East Carolina visited UMass Saturday at the Mullins Center. Staff photo by Michael Beswick.  
UMass led by as many as 19 in the second half, but the Pirates put together a 24-8 run over a 5:06 stretch to close the UMass lead to three with 1:04 to go in the game. That's when Williams stepped in, hitting six straight free throws to allow the Minutemen to withstand the rally, and escape with the victory.

Freddie Riley had a season-high 14 points for UMass, while Maurice Kemp led East Carolina with 21.

Newtown, Conn., flooded with money, gifts in wake of Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre

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Money, toys, food and other gifts have poured in from around the world as Newtown mourns the loss of 20 children and six school employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School, all of whom were shot dead by Adam Lanza. The 20-year-old town resident killed his mother before attacking the school, then killing himself. Police don't know what set off the massacre.

newtown donations.jpg Volunteer Anthony Vessicchio of East Haven, Conn., helps sort tables overflowing with donated toys at Newtown Town Hall on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012. Toys, money, food and other gifts have poured in from around the world as the northern Fairfield County mourns the loss of 20 children and six school employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School, all of whom were shot dead by Adam Lanza. The 20-year-old Newtown resident killed his mother before attacking the school, then killing himself. Police don't know what set off the massacre.  

PAT EATON-ROBB
Associated Press

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Peter Leone was busy making deli sandwiches and working the register at his Newtown General Store when he got a phone call from Alaska. It was a woman who wanted to give him her credit card number.

"She said, 'I'm paying for the next $500 of food that goes out your door,'" Leone said. "About a half hour later another gentleman called, I think from the West Coast, and he did the same thing for $2,000."

Money, toys, food and other gifts have poured in from around the world as Newtown mourns the loss of 20 children and six school employees at Sandy Hook Elementary School a little over a week ago. The 20-year-old shooter, Adam Lanza, killed his mother before attacking the school then killing himself. Police don't know what set off the massacre.

Saturday, all the town's children were invited to the Edmond Town Hall in Newtown to choose from among hundreds of toys donated by individuals, organizations and toy stores — and funeral services for victims continued.

The giving is a way for people beyond Newtown to deal with their own grief over the shooting.

"It's their way if grieving," said Bobbi Veach, who was fielding donations at the town hall building. "They say, 'I feel so bad, I just want to do something to reach out.' That's why we accommodate everybody we can."

The basement of the building resembled a toy store, with piles of stuffed penguins, Barbie dolls, board games, soccer balls and other fun gifts. All the toys were inspected and examined by bomb-sniffing dogs before being sorted and put on card tables. The children could choose whatever they wanted.

"But we're not checking IDs at the door," said Tom Mahoney, the building administrator, who's in charge of handling gifts. "If there is a child from another town who comes in need of a toy, we're not going to turn them away."

The United Way of Western Connecticut said the official fund for donations had $2.6 million in it Saturday morning. Others sent envelopes stuffed with cash to pay for coffee at the general store, and a shipment of cupcakes arrived from a gourmet bakery in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The Postal Service reported a six-fold increase in mail in town and set up a unique post office box to handle it. The parcels come decorated with rainbows and hearts drawn by school children.

Some letters arrive in packs of 26 identical envelopes — one for each family of the children and staff killed or addressed to the "First Responders" or just "The People of Newtown." One card arrived from Georgia addressed to "The families of 6 amazing women and 20 beloved angels." Many contain checks.

"This is just the proof of the love that's in this country," said Postmaster Cathy Zieff.

The funerals for the victims were wrapping up after a wrenching week of farewells in Newtown. Services were scheduled Saturday in Connecticut for Josephine Gay, 7, and Ana Marquez-Greene, 6. A service was also planned in Utah for 6-year-old Emilie Parker.

Many people have placed flowers, candles and stuffed animals at makeshift memorials that have popped up all over town. Others are stopping by the Edmond Town Hall on Main Street to drop off food, or toys, or cash. About 60,000 teddy bears have been donated, said Ann Benoure, a social services caseworker who was working at the town hall.

"There's so much stuff coming in," Mahoney, of Newtown, said. "To be honest, it's a bit overwhelming; you just want to close the doors and turn the phone off."

Mahoney said the town of some 27,000 with a median household income of more than $111,000 plans to donate whatever is left over to shelters or other charities.

Sean Gillespie of Colchester, who attended Sandy Hook Elementary, and Lauren Minor, who works at U.S. Foodservice in Norwich, came from Calvary Chapel in Uncasville with a car filled with food donated by U.S. Foodservice. But they were sent elsewhere because the refrigerators in Newtown were overflowing with donations.

"We'll find someplace," Gillespie said. "It won't go to waste."

In addition to the town's official fund, other private funds have been set up. Former Sandy Hook student Ryan Kraft, who once babysat Lanza, set up a fund with other alumni that has collected almost $150,000. It is earmarked for the Sandy Hook PTA.

Rabbi Shaul Praver of Congregation Adath Israel is raising money for a memorial to the victims. He said one man wrote a check for $52,000 for that project.

Several colleges, including the University of Connecticut, have set up scholarship funds to pay for the educations of students at Sandy Hook and the relatives of the victims.

Town officials have not decided yet what to do with all the money. A board of Newtown community leaders is being established to determine how it is most needed and will be best utilized, said Isabel Almeida with the local United Way, which has waived all its administrative fees related to the fund.

She said some have wondered about building a new school for Sandy Hook students if the town decides to tear the school down, but that decision has not been made.

And while the town is grateful for all the support, Almeida said, it has no more room for those gifts. Instead, she encouraged people to donate to others in memory of the Sandy Hook victims.

"Send those teddy bears to a school in your community or an organization that serves low income children, who are in need this holiday season, and do it in memory of our children," she said.

___

Associated Press writers Jesse Washington, Allen Breed, Chris Sullivan, Eileen Connelly, Susan Haigh and John Christoffersen contributed to this report.

Hepatitis C tests continue after arrest of New Hampshire medical technician

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Hospitals across the country recommended hepatitis C testing for about 7,900 patients last summer after a traveling medical worker was accused of stealing drugs and infecting patients with tainted syringes in New Hampshire. Nearly half of those who were possibly exposed to the liver-destroying disease in other states have yet to be tested.

HOLLY RAMER
Associated Press Writer

CONCORD, N.H. — Hospitals across the country recommended hepatitis C testing for about 7,900 patients last summer after a traveling medical worker was accused of stealing drugs and infecting patients with tainted syringes in New Hampshire. But five months later, nearly half of those who were possibly exposed to the liver-destroying disease in other states have yet to be tested.

Described by prosecutors as a "serial infector," David Kwiatkowski is accused of stealing syringes of the powerful painkiller fentanyl from the cardiac catheterization lab at New Hampshire's Exeter Hospital and replacing them with saline-filled syringes tainted with his own blood. In jail since his arrest in July, he pleaded not guilty to 14 federal drug charges earlier this month and is expected to go to trial next fall.

david kwiatkowski.jpg This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Hampshire shows David Kwiatkowski, a former lab technician at an Exeter, N.H., hospital. Kwiatkowski is accused of stealing drugs and infecting patients with hepatitis C through contaminated syringes. Five months after his arrest in New Hampshire, a dozen former patients in other states have tested positive for the same strain of hepatitis C he's accused of spreading. But thousands more have yet to be tested for the liver-destroying disease.  

Before April 2001, when he was hired in New Hampshire, Kwiatkowski worked as a traveling cardiac technologist in 18 hospitals in seven states, moving from job to job — despite being fired twice over allegations of drug use and theft.

Thirty-two people in New Hampshire have been diagnosed with the same strain of hepatitis C that Kwiatkowski carries, along with six in Kansas, five in Maryland and one in Pennsylvania. At least 3,700 people outside New Hampshire have yet to be tested, hospitals and public health officials told The Associated Press.

For example, in Michigan, where Kwiatkowski grew up and started his career, about 2,300 patients at five hospitals were notified that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C by Kwiatkowski. As of early December, only about 500 had gone in for testing, none of whom were diagnosed with a strain linked to the New Hampshire outbreak, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

In Pennsylvania, 2,280 patients at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Presbyterian were notified that they should get tested, but only 840 have, one of whom was diagnosed with a matching strain of hepatitis C.

Kwiatkowski was fired a few weeks into his temporary job at UPMC in 2008 after a co-worker accused him of swiping a fentanyl syringe from an operating room and sticking it down his pants. Citing a lack of evidence, hospital authorities didn't call police, and neither the hospital nor the medical staffing agency that placed him in the job informed the national accreditation organization for radiological technicians. Within days, Kwiatkowski was starting a new job at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, where one patient also has since been diagnosed with hepatitis C linked to Kwiatkowski.

Though the VA center initially said it had identified 168 patients who may have been exposed, that number was later lowered, and 68 patients ultimately were tested. Two other Maryland hospitals where Kwiatkowski worked also have completed their testing, with no diagnosed cases of hepatitis C matching Kwiatkowski. But at the fourth, The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, four patients have been diagnosed with the strain of disease linked to Kwiatkowski.

About 500 of the 1,567 patients notified by Johns Hopkins have yet to be tested, according to hospital spokeswoman Kim Hoppe. Kwiatkowski had been referred by a staffing agency that assured Johns Hopkins that it had followed a vigorous vetting process, Hoppe said. He worked there for two 13-week stints, from July 2009 to January 2010.

Saint Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where Kwiatkowski worked in late 2007 and early 2008, notified and tested 31 patients without finding any linked cases to Kwiatkowski. In Kansas, nearly all of the 416 patients who may have been exposed at Hays Medical Center have been tested and six have been diagnosed with infections linked to the New Hampshire outbreak.

There have been no cases linked to Kwiatkowski in Arizona, where about 300 patients from two hospitals have been asked to get tested and about 280 have done so. Kwiatkowski worked at Maryvale Hospital in Phoenix in 2009 and the Arizona Heart Hospital in 2010. He was fired from the latter job after 10 days after a co-worker found him passed out in a bathroom stall with a stolen fentanyl syringe floating in the toilet.

That incident was reported to police, Kwiatkowski's staffing agency, a state regulatory board and the national accreditation organization, but the accreditation group dropped its inquiry after learning police hadn't filed charges.

Days later, Kwiatkowski landed a new job filling in for striking technicians at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia. That hospital has recommended testing for 312 patients but won't say how many have followed through or have been diagnosed with hepatitis C. A hospital spokesman referred questions to the city health department, which did not return calls.

Testing also is still under way in the last place Kwiatkowski worked before heading to New Hampshire — Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Ga. According to the hospital, fewer than 100 people have yet to be tested, and there haven't been any cases yet linked to Kwiatkowski.

In New Hampshire, where about 3,300 patients were tested, Kwiatkowski is charged with seven counts of illegally obtaining drugs and seven counts of tampering with a consumer product, though prosecutors have said further charges are possible. Although New Hampshire cannot charge him for possible violations in other states, it can use evidence gathered in those jurisdictions in its trial, U.S. Attorney John Kacavas said. Other states are waiting to see the outcome of New Hampshire's case before deciding whether to file charges, he said.

"We continue to reach out to other states affected by this matter," Kacavas said this week. "Other health organizations and departments continue to do their work in their states, but nothing has changed in the sense that our prosecution will go forward. At this point, we are the only prosecution in the country, and we'll see how it rolls out."

Windy with variable clouds, mtn. snow, low 24

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Some sunshine returns tomorrow; a chance of snow Christmas morning.

Snow showers continue across the Berkshires late this afternoon, but are not making it any further into the Pioneer Valley. An area of low pressure still moving off to the north is still bringing in gusty winds heading into the evening. Sustained winds this afternoon have been between 20 and 30 mph with occasional gusts above 40 mph. Those conditions may continue early this evening.

Everything will begin quieting down after midnight ... the light snow in the high elevations will end, the winds will die down, and the clouds will continue breaking apart. For tomorrow, it will be a fair mix of clouds and sun, with winds at a gentler 10 to 20 mph. It will remain seasonal as high temperatures reach the upper-30s.

Snow is possible for Christmas morning. A small low pressure system coming from the Ohio Valley will be moving into the Northeast for late Monday night and into Tuesday. If this quick shot of snow misses western Massachusetts, it will miss to the south. However, there are indications that it is pulling further and further north ... combine that with temperatures in the 20s on Christmas morning, it will be cold enough for snow.

If we do not get snow for Christmas morning, there is a greater probability for a much larger Nor'easter to hit the region late Wednesday night and Thursday. Western Massachusetts appears to be right on the edge of the rain/snow line, so at least expect some opportunity for wintry weather to hit the region with that system.

Tonight: Variable clouds, diminishing winds overnight, light snow in the Berkshires ends, low 24.

Sunday: Partly cloudy and breezy, high 36.

Christmas Eve: Partly cloudy, high 37.

Christmas Day: Light morning snow, especially south, high 36.

UMass uses big runs to push past East Carolina 88-81

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The Minutemen picked up their fourth straight win Saturday behind Chaz Williams' 26 points.

Gallery preview

AMHERST — In a game of runs Saturday, the University of Massachusetts basketball team simply ended up with more of them.

The Minutemen used two separate blitzes to build a 19-point second-half lead, then held on down the stretch for an 88-81 victory over East Carolina at Mullins Center.

“It’s a great step for us,” point guard Chaz Williams said. “We’re taking steps in a positive direction. We’re all coming together to play as one. I think everybody is starting to see that.”

UMass jumped out to a 14-0 lead 4:19 into the game behind four points Williams, who finished the day with 26, and tied a career high with 11 assists. Jesse Morgan, the hero of Wednesday’s win over Ohio, had five points in the initial run and finished with 15.

As they did all afternoon, though, the Pirates fought back, using a 21-11 run over the final 6:10 of the first half to cut a 16-point UMass lead to 42-36 at halftime.

The Pirates got within three 4:05 into the second frame at 47-44, but fell victim to what is coming to be known as UMass’ “run lineup” of Williams, Morgan, Freddie Riley, Maxie Esho and Cady Lalanne. Those five ripped off a 16-0 run, paced by six more from Williams, and opened up a 19-point lead with 11:40 to play.

The Minutemen held a 72-53 advantage with 6:23 to go, and the game appeared to be well under control, but double-digit victories with no late-game stress haven’t been part of UMass’ modus operandi.

That didn’t change Saturday.

The Pirates used a ferocious press to roar back with a 24-8 run, paced by nine of forward Maurice Kemp’s team-high 21 points, and closed the gap to 80-77 with 1:04 to play.

“I was very frustrated,” Kellogg said. “You have to just close the game out.”

The press came as a surprise to the Minutemen, who Kellogg said hadn’t totally prepared for what they saw toward the end of the game from the Pirates.

“I’ll take some responsibility on a couple things. We haven’t really worked on a press attack.” Kellogg said. “We kind of slowed down a little bit instead of attacking the press. (East Carolina coach Jeff Lebo) did a good job trying to get them back in the game any way they could.”

But Williams, who had struggled thus far this season from the free-throw line shooting just 66 percent, put woes behind him by making eight straight in the game’s final 55 seconds to secure UMass’ fourth straight victory.

Williams finished the game 15 for 16 from the line, upping his percentage to 72 percent in just one game, and setting a career high in makes from the stripe.

“I’ve always been a pretty good free throw shooter my whole life, my whole career, so it was unusual for me to be missing free throws when I was,” Williams said. “I just got in the gym and put in extra work on my free throws and they went down today.”

Williams' 26 were three shy of his career high of 29. The point guard was forced to play all 40 minutes while his backup, Trey Davis, sat out of the game after tweaking his left ankle in practice Friday.

Terrell Vinson had 15 points, and Riley added a season-high 14 to give UMass four double-digit scorers on the day.

UMass players now head home for the holidays, with the team’s next practice scheduled for Dec. 26 and its next game set for Dec. 29 at Northern Illinois.

“It’ll be nice to take a break and let the guys go see their families for a couple of days,” Kellogg said. “To come away with a win when some guys might be thinking, ‘Shoot, if it goes to overtime, I’m missing my flight,’ is good.”

Boston Red Sox: Red Sox reportedly acquire relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan

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The Boston Red Sox have added another talented player to their bullpen by acquiring Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.

ORIOLES_RED_SOX_BASEBALL_11284004.JPG The reported acquisition of Joel Hanrahan may push Andrew Bailey out of the closer job in 2013.  
When you don't have a ton of confidence in your starting pitching, it helps to have a deep and effective bullpen.

Don't believe me?

Take a look at the 2012 Baltimore Orioles. They didn't have too much starting pitching, but manager Buck Showalter used his deep bullpen masterfully.

The Orioles won 94 games, but their starters were ninth in the American League in innings pitched, tied for last in complete games, seventh in strikeouts and eighth in batting average against. In other words, they were nothing special.

The Baltimore bullpen was third in earned run average, first in saves, first in wins, and fifth in batting average against.

Ben Cherington and company must have been paying attention. On Saturday afternoon the Red Sox reportedly finalized a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates that involves multiple players.

Alex Speier of WEEI reports that the trade is centered around Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan and Red Sox minor leaguers Jerry Sands and Stolmey Pimentel. There are reportedly other as-yet unknown players involved.

Hanrahan has made the all-star team the past two seasons and recorded 76 saves over that time. He is the second solid veteran relief pitcher that the Red Sox have acquired this offseason.

This past Tuesday, the Red Sox finalized a one-year contract with Koji Uehara.

The addition of Hanrahan gives the Red Sox a deep and experienced bullpen with three lefties. Hanrahan and Uehara join lefty Andrew Miller. Andrew Bailey, Alfredo Aceves and Junichi Tazawa round out what looks to be a formidable crew.

The Red Sox also have Craig Breslow, Mark Melancon and Daniel Bard as bullpen possibilities.

Hanrahan was 5-2 with an earned run average of 2.72 and 36 saves in 2012; he is signed through the end of the 2014 season and is arbitration eligible heading into next season.

His addition may create a battle for the closer job. Andrew Bailey was acquired prior to the 2012 season to take over for departed Jonathan Papelbon, but injuries limited his availability.

When finally healthy, Bailey struggled and finished 2012 with an earned run average of 7.04.

The Red Sox now have a lot of options in the bullpen, and that's not a bad problem to have.


Freddie Riley scores season-high 14 in UMass basketball win over East Carolina

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Riley scored 14 against the Pirates for the second straight season.

FreddieHarvard.JPG UMass senior guard Freddie Riley, pictured here defending Harvard's Laurent Rivard in the season opener, had his best game of the season Saturday.  

AMHERST — When he entered Saturday’s post-game press conference, University of Massachusetts guard Freddie Riley looked down at the stat sheet and smiled.

That’s not something he’s been able to do often, if at all, thus far this season. After starting the first three games of the season, Riley was replaced in the lineup by Jesse Morgan, and was averaging just 2.4 points per game entering Saturday.

With a season-high 14 points, including a 4-of-7 mark 3-pointers in 27 minutes off the bench in UMass’ 88-81 win over East Carolina, Riley can smile assuredly.

For UMass coach Derek Kellogg, though, Riley’s play Saturday started with defense.

“I thought his defense today was fantastic. He really was locked in,” Kellogg said. “when you start worrying about those things instead of worrying about scoring, you score. It was nice to see Freddie put a good game together for us.”

Furthering Kellogg’s point, Riley’s most important contribution might have been a defensive rebound he pulled down with 1:45 as the Pirates were trying to make it a one-possession game.

It was the second straight year Riley scored 14 against the Pirates, accomplishing the same feat in UMass’ 63-58 win on Dec. 6, 2011.

Riley was especially happy to break out against a couple of high school friends from Florida in East Carolina forward Ty Armstrong and point guard Miguel Paul.

“It felt good to play well against them,” Riley said.

Riley’s playing time, and by proxy, confidence, have been boosted by being a member of a lineup that has proven very successful for the Minutemen.

Riley, along with Chaz Williams, Jesse Morgan, Maxie Esho and Cady Lalanne, were responsible for big runs against Elon and Ohio, and finished Saturday’s game plus-9 as a unit.

“I’m just happy to be a part of the runs because it’s a way for me to make a case for more playing time,” Riley said. “I’m just happy we make runs when I’m in the game.”

DAVIS MISSES GAME WITH ANKLE INJURY

Freshman point guard Trey Davis, who played his best game of the year Wednesday against Ohio, was forced to sit out of Saturday’s win because he tweaked his left ankle in practice Friday.

Davis did not dress, but Kellogg said the injury was nothing to be worried about long-term.

“He’ll be ready to go for our next game,” Kellogg said. “I’m not a trainer, but it didn’t look that bad.”

MORGAN GOOD ON D AGAIN

Jesse Morgan wasn’t able to duplicate his 35-point performance from Wednesday, scoring 15 against the Pirates, but he played an important role in the team’s defense Saturday. Matched up against the Pirates talented point guard, Miguel Paul, Morgan held Paul to just seven points, well below his average of 12.9.

In addition, Paul had just two assists against five turnovers.

“Jesse did a nice job defensively really for the second straight game,” Kellogg said. “We kind of slid him over to the point guard spot a little bit.”

VINSON FALLS JUST SHORT

Terrell Vinson entered Saturday’s game needing 16 points to become the 44th player in UMass history to score 1,000 collegiate points.

Unfortunately, he fell one point short, scoring 15.

Vinson said after the game that he wasn’t aware of the situation on the court.

They'll be home for Christmas: The Deland family of Monson, uprooted after tornado destroyed house, move into new King Street home

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Rose and Robin Deland moved into their new King Street home – thanks to a little help from their friends.

MONSON — They'll be home for Christmas ... in their rebuilt King Street house.

Saturday was moving in day for the Delands – Rose and Robin – who were forced from their Monson home after the June 2011 tornado tore through the heavily forested town, knocking down trees and destroying and damaging hundreds of structures.

rose deland and friends.jpg More than 20 friends and neighbors heeded the call to help Rose Deland (center wearing black) move into her new King Street home. Rose and her husband, Robin Deland, were uprooted for more than 18 months after the June 1, 2011, tornado destroyed their King Street home.  

Rose Deland had lived at the King Street home since she was a young teenager, but the wood-frame structure was among the dozens laid to waste by the tornado.

"It's been very emotional, very hard and very depressing," she told Boston's CBS News on the one-year anniversary of the tornado, which carved a 39-mile path of destruction from Westfield to Charlton.

Rose and Robin, her husband, had a tough time dealing with their insurance company. They also had trouble securing a contractor to help them build a new home. But they had no problem getting help when they moved into their new house Saturday.

karen king better.jpg Monson resident Karen King, founder of Street Angel, a community group that helps disaster victims, issued a Facebook call for volunteers to help Robin and Rose Deland move items into their new King Street home in Monson. The Delands' former house was destroyed by the tornado.  

Community members helped the couple carry boxes, couches, tables and other items into their new house. Street Angel and Circle of Faith, local community groups, issued a Facebook call for volunteers, and plenty of people answered.

"It's been like holding your breath for 18 months and now finally being able to breath," Rose told 22News. "That's exactly what it's like."

The Delands' old home was shrouded in trees, but the thick woodlands that once dominated their property were completely scoured by the twister. The new home sits atop a barren stretch of land that has yet to be reforested.

Monson resident Karen King, a Realtor by trade, founded Street Angel, whose motto is "neighbors helping neighbors," after the tornado. King was among those who helped organize move-in day for the Delands. She could not immediately be reached for comment.

Editorial: President Obama right to push for gun control

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The president may be met with resistance, but he must keep his resolve.

Gun control 122112.jpg Josh Nelson, campaign manager, CREDO Mobile, center, speaks after his group was denied entrance to the Williard InterContinental Hotel where they wanted to deliver a petition to the National Rifle Association calling for the NRA to get out of the way of gun control, as the NRA is held a press conference in Washington Friday.  

A president’s powers are not constant. They come and go, wax and wane, depending on many external factors – national priorities, the makeup of Congress, the pressing issues of the day. They strengthen and weaken, too, in relation to where we are in an election cycle.

But presidential power is controlled, more than anything else, by the determination of the chief executive himself. When a president decides to go before the people, to go before the Congress, to make his case without equivocation, he’s got authority. Ours is a nation of laws, of divided powers, of checks and balances, but at the end of the day, there’s but one president, one man who commands that executive authority.

In the wake of the massacre of 20 schoolchildren and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., President Barack Obama has indicated clearly that he fully intends to use the powers of his office. He plans to propose sensible and serious gun-control legislation soon after the new year begins, shortly after the next Congress is seated.

Obama is absolutely right to pursue this, and he is right to do it at this time. A recently re-elected president has his greatest powers early in his second term. Over time, as attentions turn toward the midterm and then the next presidential campaign, the chief executive’s powers will naturally wane. But not now. Not at all.

It shouldn’t be hard for reasonable people to agree on federal legislation that could make a real difference, laws that would restrict the types of weapons that would be available, and would also prohibit the sale of the extended clips that allow a madman bent on destruction to fire endlessly without even having to pause to reload.

Obama will doubtless be met with resistance. His very mention of his plan prompted resistance. But this should only strengthen the president’s resolve.

Yet another U.S. Senate race on the horizon for Massachusetts

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If Sen. John Kerry is confirmed as the nation's new secretary of state, as is expected, the Massachusetts Democrat would have to resign the Senate seat he's held for nearly 30 years. That would spark a special election, which would be the Bay State's third U.S. Senate contest since 2010.

STEVE LeBLANC
Associated Press

BOSTON — Massachusetts voters weary from one of the nation's costliest and most divisive U.S. Senate races are all but certain to find themselves thrown back into another tumultuous election now that President Barack Obama has nominated Sen. John Kerry for secretary of state.

If confirmed by the Senate, as expected, Democrat Kerry would have to resign the seat he's held for nearly three decades, meaning a special election that will be the state's third Senate contest since 2010.

brown fist.jpg U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., pumps his fist during his re-election campaign kick-off in Worcester in this Jan. 19, 2012, AP file photo. If Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is confirmed by the Senate for secretary of state, as expected, Kerry would have to resign the seat he's held for nearly three decades, prompting a special election – the state's third Senate contest since 2010. Jockeying is already well under way, with a big, lingering question keeping national attention on Bay State politics: Will Brown go for the open seat following last month's loss to Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren? It remains to be seen.  

Jockeying already is well under way. The big question is whether Republican Sen. Scott Brown will go for the seat after losing his last month to Democratic Elizabeth Warren.

He kept the door wide open to another run during a farewell address on the Senate floor, declaring that both victory and defeat are "temporary" things. "Depending on what happens, and where we go, all of us, we may obviously meet again."

Perhaps as soon as next year.

Brown would be a formidable candidate. He has a statewide political organization and more than $400,000 left in his campaign account. He remains popular and demonstrated an ability to raise millions of dollars in campaign donations. But he would still have to contend with all the hurdles facing any Republican in Massachusetts.

Still, he'd probably have a clear path to the GOP nomination. "The candidacy is his for the asking," said Rep. Brad Jones, the Republican leader in the Massachusetts House. "If he runs, then get out of the way and put your oar in the water and row in the same direction."

Should Brown opt out, former Gov. William Weld, former gubernatorial candidate Charles Baker and Richard Tisei, who lost a narrow race to Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney, are among the Republicans waiting in the wings for a possible run.

John Kerry mug 2011.jpg U.S. Sen John F. Kerry, D-Mass., has been tapped by President Obama to serve as secretary of state. If Kerry wins Senate approval, which is widely expected, he would have to resign the Senate seat he has held for almost 30 years. The vacancy would spark a special election, and that, in turn, has sparked interest in who might run. U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown, R-Mass., lost a re-election bid to Democrat Elizabeth Warren. It remains to be seen if Brown might try to reclaim a Senate seat in the Bay State.  

Democrats don't have a clear front-runner, given that Gov. Deval Patrick doesn't plan to break his pledge to serve out the last two years of his term.

He still could play a pivotal role.

Patrick could use his sway in the party to clear what looks like a potentially crowded Democratic field. His backing of Warren was seen as giving her a critical edge by helping energize Democratic voters. On Friday, however, he said he'd probably not endorse anyone in a Democratic primary.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, who lost to Brown in the 2010 special election, pulled her name out of contention on Friday.

Several Democratic members of the state's congressional delegation have said they would seriously consider running, including Reps. Michael Capuano, Edward Markey, Stephen Lynch, and Niki Tsongas. Most of those House members would begin a campaign with a financial edge. Markey has one of the largest war chests with more than $3.1 million. Capuano has nearly half a million dollars in his account while Lynch has more than $740,000. Tsongas has about $166,000.

But all would have to work quickly to expand their appeal outside of their home districts.

Others mentioned by Democratic insiders as potential candidates are U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz and Ted Kennedy Jr., a son of the late senator, an advocate for the disabled and co-founder of the New York-based Marwood Group, which describes itself as "a health care-focused strategic advisory and financial services firm."

mike D.JPG Former Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis has been mentioned in Democratic Party circles as a possible interim U.S. Senator for Massachusetts if Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., steps down to accept an Obama administration appointment as U.S. secretary of state. Dukakis, the longest-serving governor in Massachusetts history, has downplayed interest in the temporary post. Dukakis led the Bay State from 1975 to 1979 and from 1983 to 1991.  

The governor will be required to fill Kerry's seat temporarily with an interim appointment, while setting a day for the special election between 145 days and 160 days after Kerry's resignation. In the 2010 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, Patrick required his interim appointee, former Democratic Party Chairman Paul Kirk, not to run for a full term.

Patrick said he expects anyone he appoints on a temporary basis this time would also not run in the special election.

Former Gov. Michael Dukakis, retiring Rep. Barney Frank and Victoria Kennedy, widow of Sen. Kennedy, have been mentioned in Democratic circles as possible interim senators. This past week, Dukakis played down interest in the post while Kennedy declined comment.

Although Democrats are riding high off Warren's victory, several of the arguments they brought to bear in the 2012 campaign wouldn't apply in a special election. They can't say, as they did in the Warren campaign, that defeating Brown might tip the balance of power in the Senate. Or that electing him would strengthen the hand of a Republican president.

Still, the Democratic Party chairman, John Walsh, said the party has a wide pool of candidates and attributed Brown's loss to a rejection of his voting record.

"I don't think Scott Brown is any kind of prohibitive favorite," Walsh said. But he'd "certainly be a front-runner."

If there is a special election, whoever wins shouldn't get too comfortable. The senator will face re-election in 2014, when Massachusetts voters will endure yet another Senate election.

Few tests done at toxic sites after Hurricane Sandy

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The EPA said last month that none of the Superfund sites it monitors in New York or New Jersey sustained significant damage, but that it has done follow-up sampling at the Gowanus Canal site in Brooklyn, the Newtown Creek site on the border of Queens and Brooklyn, and the Raritan Bay Slag site, all of which flooded during the storm.

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. (AP) — For more than a month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that the recent superstorm didn't cause significant problems at any of the 247 Superfund toxic waste sites it's monitoring in New York and New Jersey.

Superstorm Toxic Sites In this photo taken Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, a recreational area is fenced off in an area where high levels of lead were recorded following Superstorm Sandy in Laurence Harbor, N.J. Federal and state officials say Sandy’s floodwaters didn’t cause problems at any of the 147 toxic waste or Superfund sites in the New York/New Jersey area. The Environmental Protection Agency says there’s no immediate threat to public health. But some experts say the storm created thousands of small pollution sites that could be even more challenging to track and clean up. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)      

But in many cases, no actual tests of soil or water are being conducted, just visual inspections.

The EPA conducted a handful of tests right after the storm, but couldn't provide details or locations of any recent testing when asked this week. New Jersey officials point out that federally designated Superfund sites are EPA's responsibility.

The 1980 Superfund law gave EPA the power to order cleanups of abandoned, spilled and illegally dumped hazardous wastes that threaten human health or the environment. The sites can involve long-term or short-term cleanups.

Jeff Tittel, executive director of the Sierra Club in New Jersey, says officials haven't done enough to ensure there is no contamination from Superfund sites. He's worried toxins could leach into groundwater and the ocean.

"It's really serious and I think the EPA and the state of New Jersey have not done due diligence to make sure these sites have not created problems," Tittel said.

The EPA said last month that none of the Superfund sites it monitors in New York or New Jersey sustained significant damage, but that it has done follow-up sampling at the Gowanus Canal site in Brooklyn, the Newtown Creek site on the border of Queens and Brooklyn, and the Raritan Bay Slag site, all of which flooded during the storm.

But this week EPA spokeswoman Stacy Kika didn't respond to questions about whether any soil or water tests have been done at the other 243 Superfund sites. The agency hasn't said exactly how many of the sites flooded.

"Currently, we do not believe that any sites were impacted in ways that would pose a threat to nearby communities," EPA said in a statement.

Politicians have been asking similar questions, too. On Nov. 29, N.J. Sen. Frank Lautenberg wrote to the EPA to ask for "an additional assessment" of Sandy's impact on Superfund sites in the state.

Elevated levels of lead, antimony, arsenic and copper have been found at the Raritan Bay Slag site, a Superfund site since 2009. Blast furnaces dumped lead at the site in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and lead slag was also used there to construct a seawall and jetty.

The EPA found lead levels as high as 142,000 parts per million were found at Raritan Bay in 2007. Natural soil levels for lead range from 50 to 400 parts per million.

The EPA took four samples from the site after Superstorm Sandy; two from a fenced-off beach area and two from a nearby public playground. One of the beach samples tested above the recreational limit for lead. In early November the EPA said is taking additional samples "to get a more detailed picture of how the material might have shifted" and will "take appropriate steps to prevent public exposure" at the site, according to a bulletin posted on its website. But six weeks later, the agency couldn't provide more details of what has been found.

The Newtown Creek site, with pesticides, metals, PCBs and volatile organic compounds, and the Gowanus Canal site, heavily contaminated with PCBs, heavy metals, volatile organics and coal tar wastes, were added to the Superfund list in 2010.

Some say the lead at the Raritan Bay site can disperse easily.

Gabriel Fillippeli, director of the Center for Urban Health at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, said lead tends to stay in the soil once it is deposited, but can be moved around by stormwaters or winds. Arsenic, which has been found in the surface water at the site, can leach into the water table, Fillippeli said.

"My concern is twofold. One is, a storm like that surely moved some of that material physically to other places, I would think," Fillippeli said. "If they don't cap that or seal it or clean it up, arsenic will continue to make its way slowly into groundwater and lead will be distributed around the neighborhood."

The lack of testing has left some residents with lingering worries.

The Raritan Bay Slag site sits on the beach overlooking a placid harbor with a view of Staten Island. On a recent foggy morning workers were hauling out debris, and some nearby residents wondered whether the superstorm increased or spread the amount of pollution at the site.

"I think it brought a lot of crud in from what's out there," said Elise Pelletier, whose small bungalow sits on a hill overlooking the Raritan Bay Slag site. "You don't know what came in from the water." Her street did not flood because it is up high, but she worries about a park below where people go fishing and walk their dogs. She would like to see more testing done.

Thomas Burke, an associate dean at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, says both federal and state officials generally have a good handle on the major Superfund sites, which often use caps and walls to contain pollution.

"They are designed to hold up," Burke said of such structures, but added that "you always have to be concerned that an unusual event can spread things around in the environment." Burke noted that the storm brought in a "tremendous amount" of water, raising the possibility that groundwater plumes could have changed.

"There really have to be evaluations" of communities near the Superfund sites, he said. "It's important to take a look."

Officials in both New York and New Jersey note they've also been monitoring less toxic sites known as brownfields, and haven't found major problems. The New York DEC said in a statement that brownfields in that state "were not significantly impacted" and that they don't plan further tests for storm impacts.

Larry Ragonese, a spokesman for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, said the agency has done visual inspections of major brownfield sites and also alerted towns and cities to be on the lookout for problems. Ragonese said they just aren't getting calls voicing such concerns.

Back at the Raritan Bay slag site, some residents want more information. And they want the toxic soil, which has sat here for years, out.

Pat Churchill, who was walking her dog in the park along the water, said she's still worried.

"There are unanswered questions. You can't tell me this is all contained. It has to move around," Churchill said.


Dari-Farms Ice Cream Co. to lay off 76 workers in Tolland, Conn.

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Dari-Farms delivers products made by several ice cream companies — such as Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs — to various outlets.


By HOWARD FRENCH
Special to The Republican

TOLLAND, Conn. — Dari-Farms Ice Cream Co. Inc. plans to cut 76 workers — more than a third of its payroll — by early March, the company said in a filing with the state Labor Department.

The cuts are to be completed by March 4, according to the filing, known as a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice, or WARN for short. The company does not anticipate closing its operations, according to the notice.

A Dari-Farms official did not return a request for comment on Friday.

But in the Labor Department filing, the company said the layoffs are a result of the loss of a distribution contract with Nestles, which now will handle its own deliveries to grocery stores. The jobs that are being eliminated are in the “field and transportation departments,” the company adds.

The notice goes on to say that Dari-Farms is making efforts to place the affected employees with Nestles.

Dari-Farms delivers products made by several ice cream companies — such as Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs — to various outlets.

The 50-year-old business consistently makes the town’s list of top 10 taxpayers, with its property assessed at around $2.75 million.

Town Manager Steven Werbner said Friday that he hopes to discuss the pending job cuts with the company and its implications for its future in town.

“Dari-Farms is one of our most significant employers,” Werbner said, adding that layoffs of the size that the company is planning are a concern to the town.

Dari-Farms in 2004 moved to its current 26-acre site in the Tolland Business Park — off Hartford Turnpike near the Vernon line — from its smaller original site on Tolland Stage Road. The move came after the local, family-owned business outgrew its old building and moved to the current headquarters, which at 67,000 square feet is triple the size of its old quarters.

The company made the move with the aid of an $850,000 grant from the state Department of Economic and Community Development. The grant helped pay for excavation of the site by the town, which owned the land before transferring it to Dari-Farms as part of an economic development project.

The town also used a separate $485,000 state grant it received in 2002 to pay for infrastructure and road improvements to accommodate the business. A traffic light also was installed at the intersection of the company’s access road and Hartford Road.

In addition, Connecticut Water Company also modified a pumping station and added water mains to accommodate the business.

In return, company officials said at the time of the move that they expected to spend an additional $500,000 on site work, and to add 17 employees to the work force, which at the time totaled 153 workers.

Proposed Everett casino site could be a gamble for developer Steve Wynn

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Monsanto, which owned the site for decades, filled in land with arsenic-laced materials used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, according to studies

By GALEN MOORE
Boston Business Journal

A sliver of Boston extends across the Mystic River to the Everett side, stretching over the Alford Street bridge along Route 99 toward the foot of Broadway. The city’s border runs down the middle of Chemical Lane, the only existing road into a former industrial site on which Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria has fixed his hopes for a casino.

The list of potential problems facing a proposed casino on that site begins with Boston’s encroachment: The nearly 35-acre property straddles the city line, raising the possibility that formal host-community approvals could be needed in both Boston and Everett.

The complications don’t end there. The soil at the site, once used by Monsanto for a chemical plant, is laced with poisons. A former litigant still holds an easement to the property. And a business associate who only recently relinquished his role in the property’s ownership was convicted of insurance fraud after his derelict warehouse was gutted by arson in the 1990s. Any one of these facts might trip up a would-be casino developer like Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn, who flew in to tour the site two weeks ago. Hard Rock Cafe International Inc. and Rush Street Gaming LLC — two other casino developers reportedly approached by DeMaria — have remained on the sidelines.

A spokeswoman for Las Vegas-based Wynn said the casino developer has examined all those issues and remains interested in the Everett site. DeMaria’s office did not return calls seeking comment.

A 2012 report by GEI Consultants, paid for by FBT and filed with the state Department of Environmental Protection, referenced earlier studies going back to 1995 that found arsenic and lead in the soil at concentrations too high to allow use for “retail or landscaped areas,” according to DEP standards. Monsanto, which owned the site for decades, filled in land with arsenic-laced materials used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, according to the studies.

Wynn acknowledged the need for the cleanup in a news conference last month, saying the property’s current owner, a trust called FBT Everett LLC, will pay for the remediation — a cost that will surely come up in any negotiations with FBT’s manager, The DeNunzio Group LLC of Cambridge.

Everett officials have so far been solicitous of a casino. But Boston may play a role. A 5.4-acre portion of FBT’s Chemical Lane property lies within Boston city limits. Wynn spokeswoman Nancy Sterling, of Boston public relations and lobbying firm ML Strategies, said the developer is interested in buying only land in Everett. But Wynn reportedly wants 37 acres. Records from the Everett assessor’s office and the Middlesex Registry of Deeds show that the Everett portion of FBT’s Chemical Lane property measures 29.9 acres. The location of the other seven acres is unclear.

112812 carlo demaria steve wynn.JPG Casino mogul Steve Wynn, right, listens as Everett, Mass., Mayor Carlo DeMaria speaks during a press conference at Everett City Hall last month.  

Access to the property could also be an issue: Chemical Lane is half in Boston, where Mayor Thomas Menino has thrown tacit support behind a competing casino bid at Suffolk Downs. Another access point from Route 99 crosses an easement owned by William Thibeault, an Everett real estate developer and owner of Wood Waste of Boston Inc., who battled FBT in Suffolk Superior Court over ownership of the land and lost. A third way into the former Monsanto site could be built over the MBTA commuter railroad right-of-way behind the Everett Costco, which could present its own challenges. Sterling said Wynn has not yet developed a plan for building access to the property.

FBT principal Dustin DeNunzio said his firm has a suitable way into the site that could be used by a casino development, although he declined to provide details.

If Wynn’s Everett casino proposal gets past Monsanto, Menino and Thibeault, it may still face a final obstacle in Gary P. DeCicco.

DeCicco, who developed the Atlantis Marina in Winthrop with DeNunzio, is on early incorporation documents for FBT. Co-owners DeNunzio, Paul Lohnes and Anthony Gattineri removed him in January 2012 — two months after Gov. Deval Patrick signed the law allowing three resort casinos and one slot machine parlor to be built in the state — and DeNunzio said DeCicco is no longer an owner of the property.

Nonetheless, Massachusetts’ new casino gambling law requires state gambling officials to investigate “the suitability of all parties in interest to the gaming license.” DeNunzio declined to discuss the terms of DeCicco’s separation. But if the remaining partners bought him out at a casino-related premium, DeCicco’s background could play into a decision by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission about FBT’s suitability.

DeCicco in 2004 was sentenced to two years of probation after being convicted of insurance fraud related to a 1995 fire that destroyed a building he owned in Chelsea. The fire was the third incident of arson at 17 Rear Heard St. A jury acquitted DeCicco of setting the fire, deciding that youths who illegally used the derelict warehouse as a hangout may have done it. But DeCicco, who couldn’t be reached for comment for this story, was convicted of defrauding his insurance company in the $119,000 insurance settlement by lying about demolition costs and the building’s contents, and forging the endorsements of his bank and the city of Chelsea on the insurance company’s check.

DeCicco’s case isn’t necessarily on the same scale as others where “unsuitability” has derailed would-be casino operators. MGM, for instance, backed out of Atlantic City in 2010 after New Jersey gambling authorities put pressure on the casino operator over its ties to the family of Stanley Ho, a controversial gambling tycoon in Macau. A pair of New Jersey-based gambling consultants are advising the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on its licensing process. Also, commission member Gayle Cameron previously oversaw gambling regulation as a top state police official in New Jersey. If they follow suit, it’s a sure bet that DeCicco’s name will come up


Tom Brady: 'We played terribly out there'

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The Patriots QB was not pleased with how his team played against the Jaguars.

Sunday’s performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn’t good enough in Tom Brady’s eyes. A win is a win, but there’s something to be said about how each one is put together.

Being bailed out on a last-second interception in a 23-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars told Brady that there’s still work to be done.

“We played pretty terribly out there," Brady said. "It came down to the wire, our defense made some plays, but that was a bad 60 minutes of football. We got outcompeted out there, outfought. We were lucky to win."

The Patriots came out slow, Brady threw two early interceptions, and Jacksonville built a 13-3 lead before New England came back to take the lead. The result wasn’t decided until safety Patrick Chung picked off Chad Henne in the end zone on the final play of the game.

So what was the problem? Was it the injuries on both sides of the ball? Did New England take Jacksonville too lightly?

“We just didn’t play well. We just didn’t compete,” he said. “If you don’t compete in the NFL, it’s going to be close.”

Brady added: “Execution was terrible, that was easy to see. We didn’t do anything.”

Brady started the game 2 of 9 passing for 50 yards with two interceptions. Things rebounded and he finished 24 of 41 for 267 yards with two touchdowns to along with the interceptions.

That period of competence did nothing to ease his feelings, though, and Brady said he’s concerned about how the team is competing after also coming out flat last week in a loss to the 49ers.

“Sure, you get very concerned when you don’t play well,” he said. “That’s very evident by the way we performed. We better have a good week of practice or it’s going to be just as tough against Miami.”

Springfield police probe stabbing, armed robberies

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A man showed up at Mercy Medical Center with stab wounds to his face. An update on his condition was unavailable.

SPRINGFIELD — Police responded to several weekend incidents, including a stabbing and back-to-back armed robberies.

A man reportedly made his way to Mercy Medical Center early Sunday for treatment of stab wounds to the face. The 25-year-old victim said he received the injuries during an incident at a local club, but he would not provide more details to investigators.

An update on the man's condition was unavailable. Springfield police Lt. James Rosso had no additional information about the incident.

On Saturday evening, police responded to a pair of armed robberies that happened within a few minutes of each other in different parts of the city. Details of the crimes, including what was allegedly taken, were not immediately available.

The first incident was reported around 7:08 p.m. on Belmont Avenue in Forest Park, where a victim told officers a man showed a gun before robbing him. A good description of the suspect was unavailable.

The second incident was reported around 7:15 p.m. on Albemarle Street in Upper Hill, where a person claimed he was robbed at gunpoint by three black men. The trio left in a silver Acura last seen driving west toward Northampton Avenue.

Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call the Springfield Police Department Detective bureau at (413) 787-6355.

Patriots defend Patrick Chung's hit on Cecil Shorts

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Chung will likely be getting a letter from the league office for a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Patrick Chung laid a nasty helmet-to-helmet hit on Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts during the fourth quarter that drew an unnecessary-roughness penalty.

Shorts being defended by Devin McCourty when he went over the middle, at which point Chung came across from the other direction and drilled Shorts in the head. The Jaguars receiver had to be helped off the field following the incompletion.

The play appeared to cross the line on initial viewing, but Chung's teammates came to his defense after the game.

"I don't think he was out try to make a head-to-head shot like that," defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. "It's football, sometimes you get bad breaks, sometimes you get a situations where you have to be able to – it's a ball and it's a defender, and you have to make a decision. It's a split second. Nobody understands that except for the guy being in that position."

Wilfork did later concede that play was illegal.

"It cost us a penalty and I'm pretty sure he'll be getting a letter (from the league offices). "

Coach Bill Belichick agreed that hits like Chung's are unavoidable.

"I don't know," Belichick said. "I mean, I don't know what he could have done. I don't know."

Chung made up for the penalty with a pass breakup and interception on the final drive.

'The Hobbit' dominates box office for second weekend

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Part one of Jackson's prelude to his "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy raised its domestic total to $149.9 million after 10 days.

hobbit new trailer This film image released by Warner Bros., shows Ian McKellen as Gandalf in a scene from the fantasy adventure "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."  

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tiny hobbit Bilbo Baggins is running circles around some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" took in $36.7 million to remain No. 1 at the box office for the second-straight weekend, easily beating a rush of top-name holiday newcomers.

Part one of Jackson's prelude to his "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the Warner Bros. release raised its domestic total to $149.9 million after 10 days. The film added $91 million overseas to bring its international total to $284 million and its worldwide haul to $434 million.

"The Hobbit" took a steep 57 percent drop from its domestic $84.6 million opening weekend, but business was soft in general as many people skipped movies in favor of last-minute Christmas preparations.

"The real winner this weekend might be holiday shopping," said Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for box-office tracker Hollywood.com.

Tom Cruise's action thriller "Jack Reacher" debuted in second-place with a modest $15.6 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. Based on the Lee Child best-seller "One Shot," the Paramount Pictures release stars Cruise as a lone-wolf ex-military investigator tracking a sniper conspiracy.

Opening at No. 3 with $12 million was Judd Apatow's marital comedy "This Is 40," a Universal Pictures film featuring Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprising their roles from the director's 2007 hit "Knocked Up."

Paramount's road-trip romp "The Guilt Trip," featuring "Knocked Up" star Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand, debuted weakly at No. 6 with $5.4 million over the weekend and $7.4 million since it opened Wednesday. Playing in narrower release, Paramount's acrobatic fantasy "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away" debuted at No. 11 with $2.1 million.

A 3-D version of Disney's 2001 animated blockbuster "Monsters, Inc." also had a modest start at No. 7 with $5 million over the weekend and $6.5 million since opening Wednesday.

Domestic business was off for the first time in nearly two months. Overall revenues totaled $112 million, down 12.6 percent from the same weekend last year, when Cruise's "Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol" debuted with $29.6 million, according to Hollywood.com.

Cruise's "Jack Reacher" opened at barely half the level as "Ghost Protocol," but with a $60 million budget, the new flick cost about $100 million less to make.

Starting on Christmas, Hollywood expects a big week of movie-going with schools out through New Year's Day and many adults taking time off. So Paramount and other studios are counting on strong business for films that started slowly this weekend.

"'Jack Reacher' will end up in a very good place. The movie will be profitable for Paramount," said Don Harris, the studio's head of distribution. "The first time I saw the movie I saw dollar signs. It certainly wasn't intended to be compared to a `Mission: Impossible,' though."

Likewise, Warner Bros. is looking for steady crowds for "The Hobbit" over the next week, despite the debut of two huge newcomers — the musical "Les Miserables" and the action movie "Django Unchained" — on Christmas Day.

"We haven't reached the key holiday play time yet," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner. "It explodes on Tuesday and goes right through the end of the year."

In limited release, Kathryn Bigelow's Osama bin Laden manhunt saga "Zero Dark Thirty" played to packed houses with $410,000 in just five theaters, averaging a huge $82,000 a cinema.

That compares to a $4,654 average in 3,352 theaters for "Jack Reacher" and a $4,130 average in 2,913 cinemas for "This Is 40." "The Guilt Trip" averaged $2,217 in 2,431 locations, and "Monsters, Inc." averaged $1,925 in 2,618 cinemas. Playing just one matinee and one evening show a day at 840 theaters, "Cirque du Soleil" averaged $2,542.

Since opening Wednesday, "Zero Dark Thirty" has taken in $639,000. Distributor Sony plans to expand the acclaimed film to nationwide release Jan. 11, amid film honors and nominations leading up to the Feb. 24 Academy Awards.

Opening in 15 theaters from Lionsgate banner Summit Entertainment, Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor's tsunami-survival drama "The Impossible" took in $138,750 for an average of $9,250.

A fourth new release from Paramount, "The Sopranos" creator David Chase's 1960s rock `n' roll tale "Not Fade Away," debuted with $19,000 in three theaters, averaging $6,333.

Universal's "Les Miserables" got a head-start on its domestic release with a $4.2 million debut in Japan.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $36.7 million ($91 million international).

2. "Jack Reacher," $15.6 million ($2.5 million international).

3. "This Is 40," $12 million.

4. "Rise of the Guardians," $5.9 million ($13.7 million international).

5. "Lincoln," $5.6 million.

6. "The Guilt Trip," $5.4 million.

7. "Monsters, Inc." in 3-D, $5 million.

8. "Skyfall," $4.7 million ($9 million international),

9. "Life of Pi," $3.8 million ($23.2 million international).

10. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $2.6 million ($6.6 million international).

——

What now in Newtown? Seize the change, healers say

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As the shock of Newtown's horrific school shooting starts to wear off, as the headlines fade and the therapists leave, residents are seeking a way forward through faith, community and a determination to seize their future.

NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — The grief will not end. Yet the healing must begin. So as the shock of Newtown's horrific school shooting starts to wear off, as the headlines fade and the therapists leave, residents are seeking a way forward through faith, community and a determination to seize their future.

At religious services Sunday, church leaders received standing ovations from parishioners they have been helping to cope with the shooting deaths of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The gunman also killed his mother and himself.

"This has been the worst week of my life," said Monsignor Robert Weiss of the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, which lost eight children and two adults in the massacre. He thanked the community for giving him strength to get through the week filled with funerals.

Meanwhile, a former teacher, Carole MacInnes, said she remembers the gunman as a smart, sweet boy in her second-grade class at Sandy Hook.

To deal with the short-term trauma, the state sent dozens of mental health professionals to Newtown. Sessions were available every day, at a half-dozen locations. Relief also has been provided by therapy and service dogs, massage therapists, acupuncturists and art therapists, from around Connecticut and the nation.

Rick Kaplan was driving back to South Carolina on Sunday with his nine service dogs. His "Canine Angels" usually assist disabled veterans, but he spent several days in Newtown with parents and grandparents of the victims, the victims' classmates and other town residents.

The families "held dogs, cried, laughed, hugged and thanked us to say that this was invaluable," Kaplan said. "The love and respect of a dog is something, no doctor and no medicine can compete with what a dog can do."

The mother of one victim sat with one dog for an hour. Kaplan recalls her saying: "I can't tell you how guilty I feel because this is the first joy I've had in a week. I feel so guilty because I'm not thinking about my son right now."

After the Sunday service at Newtown's Trinity Episcopal Church, the Rev. Kathleen Adams-Shepherd received hugs and kisses from a long line of parishioners. She choked up as she read the names of the victims and offered a prayer for all of them, including gunman Adam Lanza and his slain mother, Nancy.

Deacon Rick Scinto of St. Rose of Lima said church officials will be teamed with professional counselors and therapists to provide assistance.

"I don't see us taking a lead role, but I certainly see us taking a cooperative role in any kind of counseling that they need. We have our niche. We're religious and we can talk about God and how the Lord figures in this whole mess," Scinto said.

Things will never be the same here. And that transformation itself — heartbreaking and permanent as it may be — is the key to long-term recovery, say some of those helping to lead the healing of this shattered town.

"This will never leave you and should never leave you. Your tears are proof of your love. The trick is, you've got to find a new form for your love," said Dr. John Woodall, a psychiatrist and Newtown resident.

Woodall is founder of The Unity Project, which has assisted recoveries from such tragedies such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the war in the former Yugoslavia and child soldier conflicts in Uganda. He said it's impossible to answer the question of why the Dec. 14 tragedy happened.

"The only helpful question to ask is what next?" Woodall said.

Charles Dumais, principal of Newtown High School, came up with an answer after consulting with Woodall. Dumais is exhorting his community to honor the dead through the kind of high character and good deeds that will create a future of resilience — not sorrow.

"If you have not done so already, please take a moment now to think about what you wish the future to look like," Dumais wrote in an email to his students and staff. "We had no control over this senseless, cruel, horrific act, but we do have absolute control over our response to it."

People first must survive the present.

Dennis Stratford, who works for the school district, happened to be making a delivery to Sandy Hook Elementary School when the gunman attacked. He saw dead children. He saw the remains of dead children on those who survived. He waited agonizing minutes for his own child to emerge unharmed from the school. Two of his neighbors' children did not.

"I go home and cry every night, and I cry every morning," Stratford said.

He went to one counseling session, but the horrific images remain. What helps more is work: sorting through the warehouses full of gifts, delivering them where they need to go or doing whatever else needs to be done for his town.

"There were nine minutes of evil, and an infinity of goodness after that," Stratford said, sitting on a forklift loaded with gifts. "This is therapy for me."

MacInnes, the retired teacher, said Lanza did not require extra academic attention and he acted normal socially. She said Lanza was a gentle soul and she never saw him after the second grade. MacInnes first confirmed to The Washington Post that Lanza was in her class at Sandy Hook.

Matthew Crebbin, pastor of the Newtown Congregational Church and leader of the Newtown Interfaith Clergy Association, said the rest of the world will soon go back to normal.

"The bad news and the good news in Newtown is that our community will never be the same," Crebbin said. "It doesn't have to mean that this is a world of just loss and sorrow and spiraling disruption if we can draw from this strength and have a sense that we are called to something more and to strengthen connections to each other."


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