The University of Massachusetts has hired a director of urban education who will work to expand the partnership and presence of the university in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — The effort to expand the presence of the University of Massachusetts in the city of Springfield took a significant step forward this week with the college’s decision to hire a new administrator to help achieve those plans.

Jason Irizarry of Storrs, Conn., who has educational and employment ties to Western Massachusetts, was hired to the new position of “Director of Urban Education” at the university’s College of Education, officials announced Thursday.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the move, saying it is part of the continuing effort to build a stronger partnership between the university and the city and a greater presence by the university in Springfield.

“They know they can play an integral part, and Springfield can play an integral part, not only in education but as an economic development catalyst,” Sarno said.

The extent of the presence remains under review and discussion, but is anticipated to include expanding programs in the Springfield public schools to help local students, expanding a teacher preparation program and bringing other university programs to Springfield and the region through a proposed “Urban Education Institute,” university officials said.

“Jason is committed to the preparation of effective and engaged educators and improving the lives of children and youth, especially in urban settings and struggling schools,” said Christine B. McCormick, Dean of the College of Education.

Kevin E. Kennedy, the city’s chief development officer, said the new appointment “goes a long way to starting to fulfill their commitment to Springfield” for a greater presence.

There are discussions about leasing space in Springfield and creating “a full-fledged satellite campus,” Kennedy said.

Irizarry’s annual salary is $108,500. He said he plans to relocate to the region.

Irizarry, 38, said he is excited to serve as a bridge between the university and the school district. He is expected to have an office within the School Department, and work with local officials including Superintendent of Schools Daniel Warwick.

Linda Griffin, the university’s associate dean of academic affairs, said the university has a strong commitment to expand its partnership with Springfield.

The university has a “Teach 180 Days in Springfield” program in the public schools for teacher preparation, and there is a small business development center in the Springfield Technical Community College Technology Park and a design center on Court Square.

“The effort is to think about other ways we can truly collaborate and extend this partnership we have,” Griffin said.

Prior to his new position, Irizarry was associate professor in the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education, and previously was an assistant professor at Springfield College from 1999 to 2005. He received an Ed.D. from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 2005, and an M.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the State University of New York at Albany in 1998.

The bill's prospects are highly uncertain in the Republican-controlled House, where party leaders are jockeying for position in advance of expected action next month.

By DAVID ESPO
and ERICA WERNER

WASHINGTON — With a solemnity reserved for momentous occasions, the Senate passed historic legislation Thursday offering the priceless hope of citizenship to millions of immigrants living illegally in America's shadows. The bill also promises a military-style effort to secure the long-porous border with Mexico.

The bipartisan vote was 68-32 on a measure that sits atop President Barack Obama's second-term domestic agenda. But the bill's prospects are highly uncertain in the Republican-controlled House, where party leaders are jockeying for position in advance of expected action next month.

Spectators in galleries that overlook the Senate floor watched expectantly as senators voted one by one from their desks. Some onlookers erupted in chants of "Yes, we can" after Vice President Joe Biden announced the vote result.

After three weeks of debate, there was no doubt about the outcome. Fourteen Republicans joined all 52 Democrats and two independents to support the bill.

In a written statement, Obama coupled praise for the Senate's action with a plea for resolve by supporters as the House works on the issue. "Now is the time when opponents will try their hardest to pull this bipartisan effort apart so they can stop commonsense reform from becoming a reality. We cannot let that happen," said the president, who was traveling in Africa.

In the final hours of debate, members of the so-called Gang of 8, the group that drafted the measure, frequently spoke in personal terms while extolling the bill's virtues, rebutting its critics — and appealing to the House members who turn comes next.

"Do the right thing for America and for your party," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who said his mother emigrated to the United States from Cuba. "Find common ground. Lean away from the extremes. Opt for reason and govern with us."

Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake said those seeking legal status after living in the United States illegally must "pass a background check, make good on any tax liability and pay a fee and a fine." There are other requirements before citizenship can be obtained, he noted.

He, too, spoke from personal experience, recalling time he spent as a youth working alongside family members and "undocumented migrant labor, largely from Mexico, who worked harder than we did under conditions much more difficult than we endured."

Since then, he said, "I have harbored a feeling of admiration and respect for those who have come to risk life and limb and sacrifice so much to provide a better life for themselves and their families."

The bill's opponents were unrelenting, if outnumbered.

"We will admit dramatically more people than we ever have in our country's history at a time when unemployment is high and the Congressional Budget Office has told us that average wages will go down for 12 years, that gross national product per capita will decline for 25-plus years, that unemployment will go up," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.

"The amnesty will occur, but the enforcement is not going to occur, and the policies for future immigration are not serving the national interest."

But with a weeklong July 4 congressional vacation looming, the bill's foes agreed to permit the final vote one day before Senate rules mandated it.

In the Senate, at least, the developments marked an end to years of gridlock on immigration. The shift began taking shape quickly after the 2012 presidential election, when numerous Republican leaders concluded the party must show a more welcoming face to Hispanic voters who had given Obama more than 70 percent of their support.

Even so, division among Republicans was evident as potential 2016 presidential contenders split. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida was one of the Gang of 8, while Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Ted Cruz of Texas were opposed to the bill.

The legislation's chief provisions includes numerous steps to prevent future illegal immigration — some added in a late compromise that swelled Republican support for the bill — and to check on the legal status of job applicants already living in the United States. At the same time, it offers a 13-year path to citizenship to as many as 11 million immigrants now living in the country unlawfully.

Under the deal brokered last week by Republican Sens. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Bob Corker of Tennessee and the Gang of 8, the measure requires 20,000 new Border Patrol agents, the completion of 700 miles of fencing and deployment of an array of high-tech devices along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Those living in the country illegally could gain legal status while the border security plan was being implemented, but would not be granted permanent resident green cards or citizenship.

A plan requiring businesses to check on the legal status of prospective employees would be phased in over four years.

Other provisions would expand the number of visas available for highly skilled workers relied upon by the technology industry. A separate program would be established for lower-skilled workers, and farm workers would be admitted under a temporary program. In addition, the system of legal immigration that has been in effect for decades would be changed, making family ties less of a factor and elevating the importance of education, job skills and relative youth.

With the details of the Senate bill well-known, House Speaker John Boehner said at a news conference the separate legislation the House considers will have majority support among Republicans. He also said he hopes the bill will be bipartisan, and he encouraged a group of four Democrats and three Republicans trying to forge a compromise to continue their efforts.

He offered no details on how a House bill could be both bipartisan and supported by more than half of his own rank and file, given that most of the bills that have moved through the House Judiciary Committee recently did so on party line votes over the protests of Democrats. None envisions legal status for immigrants now in the country illegally.

Boehner declined to say if there were circumstances under which he could support a pathway to citizenship, but he made clear that securing the border was a priority.

"People have to have confidence that the border is secure before anything else is really going to work. Otherwise, we repeat the mistakes of 1986," he said, referring to the last time Congress overhauled the immigration system.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, the House Democratic leader, also said he favors a bipartisan approach. At the same time, she noted that Democratic principles for immigration include "secure our borders, protect our workers, unite families, a path to legalization and now citizenship for those" without legal status.

Associated Press writer Donna Cassata contributed to this story.

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Before the white-hot battle over abortion in the second-largest state turned personal, the Fort Worth Democrat staged a marathon filibuster Tuesday that helped defeat an omnibus bill further limiting abortion in a state where it's already difficult to undergo them. But Perry called lawmakers back for a second special session next week to try and finish the job.

By WILL WEISSERT

GRAPEVINE, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry hit back Thursday at the star of a Democratic filibuster that killed tough new Texas abortion restrictions, saying state Sen. Wendy Davis' rise from a tough upbringing should have taught her the value of each human life.

Davis, a former teenage mom who graduated from Harvard Law School, responded that Perry's comments were "without dignity and tarnishes the high office he holds."

Before the white-hot battle over abortion in the second-largest state turned personal, the Fort Worth Democrat staged a marathon filibuster Tuesday that helped defeat an omnibus bill further limiting abortion in a state where it's already difficult to undergo them. But Perry called lawmakers back for a second special session next week to try and finish the job.

"Who are we to say that children born in the worst of circumstances can't lead successful lives?" Perry said in a speech to nearly 1,000 delegates at the National Right to Life Conference in suburban Dallas. "Even the woman who filibustered the Senate the other day was born into difficult circumstances."

Davis, now 50, started working at age 14 to help support a household of her single mother and three siblings. By 19, she was already married and divorced with a child of her own, but she eventually graduated with honors from Harvard Law School and won her Senate seat in an upset.

Perry pointed out that personal history in his speech, adding "it's just unfortunate that she hasn't learned from her own example that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters."

In comments to reporters after his speech, he went even further.

"I'm proud that she's been able to take advantage of her intellect and her hard work, but she didn't come from particularly good circumstances," the governor said. "What if her mom had said, 'I just can't do this. I don't want to do this.' At that particular point in time I think it becomes very personal."

Davis quickly fired off an email response blasting Perry's comments.

"They are small words that reflect a dark and negative point of view," she said. "Our governor should reflect our Texas values. Sadly, Gov. Perry fails that test."

Davis' supporters argued Perry never would have made such suggestions to a male politician.

"Rick Perry's remarks are incredibly condescending and insulting to women," Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and daughter of the late former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, said in a statement. "This is exactly why the vast majority of Texans believe that politicians shouldn't be involved in a woman's personal health care decisions."

The Texas Legislature adjourned May 27, but Perry called legislators into a 30-day special session to pass stricter limits on abortion, including banning the procedure after 20 weeks of pregnancy. But with the extra session set to end at midnight on Tuesday, Davis was on her feet for more than 12 hours — speaking most of that time — as Senate Democrats attempted a filibuster.

Just before the final gavel, Republican lawmakers silenced her for speaking on a topic other than the bill she was opposing — only to have hundreds of abortion rights activists cheer so loudly from the public gallery that all business in the chamber halted until it was too late.

With a second special session now beginning Monday, Perry has vowed to pass a measure similar to the one that failed. Besides the 20-week ban, it would force many clinics that perform abortions to upgrade their facilities to be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. Doctors also would be required to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles.

Opponents say such upgrades are so expensive that only five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics would remain in operation.

Abortion rights groups have promised to respond with more protests, including one scheduled Monday for the state Capitol. Perry too called those who oppose abortion to action, telling the conference, "The world has seen images of pro-abortion activists screaming, cheering. Going forward, we have to match their intensity."

Adding intrigue to his grudge match with Davis is the fact that Perry had been expected to announce this week if he will seek a fourth full term in office next year. But he said Thursday that announcement will now be delayed until lawmakers can finish the extra work he's given them.

Davis is up for re-election next year but had been urged by Democratic operatives even before her filibuster to consider running for governor.

She has mulled a run for statewide office but says she wants to wait for the right time. A Democrat hasn't won such a post in Texas since 1994, and the state Democratic Party would face a major challenge establishing the organization or infrastructure necessary to deliver enough dependable votes. Asked what he thought of Davis as a possible gubernatorial candidate, Perry simply shrugged: "I don't have a clue."

News industry analyst Ken Doctor says now is the time for the globe's owners to sell.

WORCESTER - The June 27 deadline to submit offers to buy the Boston Globe, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette and the rest of the New England Media Group has arrived, but there are still plenty of questions facing the potential new owners.

The New England Media Group is one of the last assets The New York Times Co. still has outside of its New York Times-specific media, and, according to Ken Doctor, a news industry analyst, the amount of rumored bidders -- as well as declining advertising revenue -- make it more than likely that a deal will be struck. The Times previously put the Globe up for sale in 2009 but did not receive what it deemed were adequate bids.

Earlier this month the Globe reported up to eight potential bidders for the papers, although one of those, the Kraft Group, has sincewithdrawn from consideration.

Something like 2009 is unlikely to happen again. Doctor says the time to sell is now.

"If you look at it in the context of what is going on at all newspapers, but especially metro [newspapers], advertising decline is continuing in the high single digits, so that property, the Boston Globe particularly and the Worcester paper, are worth more today than it's going to be worth in a year," said Doctor.

According to The Financial Times, the New England Media Group's total revenues for the first quarter of this year dropped 6.7 percent to $85 million, compared to the same quarter last year — compared to a 0.9 percent drop in total revenues for the New York Times Media Group, where growth in circulation revenues offset advertising declines.

With so much declining revenue, why would someone want to buy a metro newspaper, nevermind two of them? According to Doctor, the papers are making money, and a potential new owner may see their value to the city and community as something that will outlast current industry challenges.

"You want buyers who understand newspapers are still very much in a transitional state -- that there is a good three to five years more for deep transition. Profits are going to be hard to come by and, importantly, investment is going to be needed, because if you continue to lose advertising revenue -- which is going to happen -- either you cut your staff and continue to cut your news product, or you take your profits and invest even more in the news product, which is what we're seeing by the new owners in Orange County," said Doctor.

Aaron Kushner, owner of the Orange County Register and a Massachusetts native who has been rumored to be interested in buying the Globe in the past, has bucked industry trends by investing heavily in his newsroom since buying the paper in 2012. According to the Huffington Post, The Register has added around 75 journalists to its staff, made the pages thicker, and upgraded the color printing on the pages.

Whoever buys the New England Media Group will have a dilemma: cut costs to make more money now, or invest in the papers in the hopes that a better product will bring subscribers and advertisers.

"The problem is that as advertising continues to go south either you continue to cut and you cut even more into the news product or you take practically no profit, maybe you even have to absorb a loss," said Doctor. "There are metro newspapers that are not making money at all and that is a situation that could happen in Boston, particularly in the next two years."

Different Markets

While the Globe and the Telegram both service cities, there is a distinct difference between the two: competition. The Globe is not the only daily newspaper in Boston, it competes with the Boston Herald and the Metro Boston, while the Telegram & Gazette is the only daily newspaper in Worcester. That, according to Doctor, could make the Telegram a valuable asset to someone like Warren Buffett.

"Buffet's company, Berkshire Hathaway, is buying medium to small size dailies. He likes, as any businessperson would, he likes the fact that there is very little competition," said Doctor. "The best place is where you have the only daily paper in town and that broadcast competition isn't stronger, either in audience or advertising. That's the best. Those papers are making eight to 15 percent profit a year off of much smaller revenues.

"The Worcester paper, by the nature of its location, has more stability at this point," Doctor continued. "It is losing less revenue, how much I don't know, but characteristics of papers that size, it would be holding onto its revenue somewhat better [than the Globe]."

The Future

Whatever the outcome after the bids are sorted, the Times will reportedly take a major loss in the price it paid for the Globe and the Telegram. The Times bought the Globe from the Taylor family (who are rumored to be a bidder for Globe) for $1.1 billion in 1993, then in 2000 bought the Telegram for $296 million. The Boston Globe reported that the potential sale price for the New England Media Group in 2013 could be anywhere from $70 million to $120 million.

With the number of reported bidders interested in the New England Media Group, Doctor believes -- like another media observer, Dan Kennedy, does -- that the best type of owner for the papers would be a local owner.

"There is a whole bunch of names out there, but all things being equal, it is better to have local owners who understand the value of each newspaper. But most importantly is the people in the group understand the value of the newspaper in the city, in it's community, and [they are] willing to ride out the next three to five years and not expect to make much of a profit," said Doctor.

Doctor says whoever has a bid accepted needs to leverage a few things over the course of the next few years to make the New England Media Group profitable and stable in the future.

According to Doctor, the new owner needs to make Boston.com an asset, speed up the transition to video news, where he says there is still a significant amount of advertising revenue, rectify any problems in the circulation department, and embrace tablet media where all types of media (video, graphics, print, newspaper and magazines) are equal.

A New York Times spokeswoman declined to comment for this story.

Council President James Ferrera tried, without success, to reduce the salaries of 32 employees during the budget debate, targeting those employees who do not belong to unions and have waivers of the residency requirements.

SPRINGFIELD – The City Council approved the mayor’s proposed $571.8 million budget on Wednesday, choosing not to make any cuts in funds, but only after a extended debate about the city’s long-standing, long-unenforced residency requirement for city employees that is destined to continue.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the vote, saying the budget as approved, will avoid layoffs and maintain core services.

Council Finance Chairman Clodovaldo Concepcion was among councilors praising the budget, and urged councilors not to “play games” during an election year by making cuts.

Council President James J. Ferrera III tried, without success, to reduce the salaries of 32 employees during the budget debate, targeting those employees who do not belong to unions and have waivers of the residency requirements granted by the mayor or former Finance Control Board. Under Ferrera’s proposal, those targeted employees’ salaries would be granted for just six months — Ferrera’s proposed deadline for them to move to Springfield.

Ferrrera’s proposal was defeated by near-unanimous vote, after City Solicitor Edward Pikula warned the council that it had no power to cut individual salaries, and that it would lead to lawsuits and potential triple damages in court.

The debate over requiring city employees to live in Springfield, however, is not over.

Councilor Michael Fenton, chairman of the council’s special committee on residency, has been meeting every two weeks on the issue and promises to continue that schedule throughout the year to look for an improvements in the residency ordinance and effective strategies to enforce it.

Under the current ordinance, adopted in 1995, new employees hired or promoted since that date are required to live in Springfield, unless excluded by contract or state law. Teachers, police and firefighters are among those excluded from compliance with residency.

In addition, Councilor Melvin Edwards said he will sponsor a resolution asking Sarno to fund a study of residency, to aid the council in creating and enforcing residency. Residency has been largely unenforced, while cities such as Boston have strong residency requirements, councilors said.

Ferrera, Fenton and Edwards are among councilors saying they favor residency, believing jobs should go to Springfield residents or people who are willing to move here. People who live here will invest in the community including taxes and spending on the local economy, they said.

Councilor Bud L. Williams said he will support the study, but needs to be convinced that residency is working. He also has a proposal to require new school administrators to live in Springfield. He supported Ferrera's effort to cut the waiver salaries, to prod residency, while other councilors agreed with Pikula that it would put the city at legal and financial risk.

The budget passed Wednesday by a 10-2 vote. Councilor John Lysak said he objected, because the budget includes plans to close Pine Point library, while Fenton said he opposed the budget because it is balanced in part on one-time revenues.

Lysak proposed cutting $125,000 from the budget that was earmarked for casino consultant costs, on an as-needed basis.

Sarno objected, and spoke of the importance of having funds available quickly, such as if there was an important road project in Indian Orchard that might be delayed.

Lysak, who represents Indian Orchard, took offense to mayor’s comments, calling it a threat, and said Sarno is a “thug mayor,” leading a heated exchange of words, with Williams banging a gavel and calling for order.

Lysak withdrew the proposed cut after the debate.

Charette joined the Chicopee police force in 1992 and has risen through the ranks.

CHICOPEE — In front of a crowd of about 300 well-wishers, Thomas Charette was sworn in as the city's police chief Thursday.

His two daughters and son ceremonially pinned on his badge while his wife sat nearby. During a speech, Charette thanked his wife and family, his fellow police officers and city officials.

“I honestly believe we are moving forward in the right direction,” Charette said as he addressed the crowd, which included Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastroianni and a number of local and out-of-town police officials.

Charette, who started his career as a police officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1988, was hired as a Chicopee patrolman in 1992. He has served as sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commanding officer and for the last year has been interim police chief. He is an Air Force veteran and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

The appointment of Charette, who was selected over the deputy police chief, has been criticized by some. On Thursday, Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette outlined the reasons for his selection.

“Today I am proud to promote a Chicopee guy and a cop’s cop, someone who has worked his way up the ranks,” Bissonnette said. “He knows our streets and he knows our neighborhoods.”

Charette lives in the city, shares a vision of the city that Bissonnette also holds and is adept at dealing with the large amount of paperwork a chief faces, he said.

Bissonnette used an assessment center to evaluate the five city police officers who applied. Three finalists were selected and, after interviews and background checks, Bissonnette selected Charette.

Charette acknowledged his appointment has created some ire, but said it is calming down.

“There is a small group of officers who are not happy with me being made chief,” he said.

For now he said his biggest effort is to get officers closer to the community. He has attended community meetings, is looking at more walking patrols, reviewing school resource officer jobs and encouraging officers to volunteer as coaches to do other work in the city.

He recently joined the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club, a organization he belonged to as a child.

Charette said his biggest challenge is changing the culture of the department, which had been under the same chief for 20 years. “I want to bring in a new culture, a new era that is more citizen friendly,” Charette said. “I need the community, they are the only ones who tell us what is going on.”

At the same time he said the dispatch area has been completely redone and he is expanding technology. “I’m not a tech guy but I know that we need it,” he said.

He said break-ins and narcotics the biggest problems in the city, and said he especially wants to cut down on the house breaks.

“Everything revolves around drugs,” he said.

Tsarnaev has been charged with using weapons of mass destruction, killing four individuals among other counts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Dzhokhar TsarnaevPhoto provided by FBI 

BOSTON — A federal grand jury has returned a 30-count indictment against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the survivor of two brothers suspected of carrying out the Boston Marathon bombings in April.

Tsarnaev has been charged with using weapons of mass destruction, killing four individuals among other counts, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts.

The United States Attorney's Office and Middlesex District Attorney’s Office will hold a joint press conference on Thursday at 3 p.m., at the U.S. District Courthouse in Boston to announce state and federal indictments against Tsarnaev.

This is a developing story and will be updated as our reporting continues

Grand Jury Indictment USA vs Dzhokhar Tsarnaev by masslive

The School Committee expects to have some $200,000 remaining in a reserve fund so it can restore positions eliminated in previous years because of budget restraints.

NORTHAMPTON — The School Committee wrestled with the pleasant problem of allocating a $1 million windfall Thursday, but opted to come back next week to work out the details.

The additional funds are part of a $2.5 million Proposition 2½ override passed by voters on Tuesday. Mayor David J. Narkewicz has earmarked $985,000 of that money for the schools, which would otherwise have had to make deep cuts. Even as the School Committee was meeting at the John F. Kennedy Middle School, Narkewicz was across town in Council Chambers, explaining to councilors how he plans to use the override money. He said $773,715 of it will go into a new Override Stabilization Fund that will help the city deliver services over the next three years.

Under its previous budget, the School Department projected some 20 job cuts. It also expected to eliminate busing for all grades because of lack of funds. Superintendent Brian Salzer told the School Committee they will now be able to avoid nearly all of those cuts. However, School Committee Vice Chairman Edward Zuchowski said the committee asked for more time because they did not have a hard copy of Salzer’s revised plan.

“The School Committee members were not 100 percent clear in their minds what the cuts were,” he said.

The committee scheduled a special meeting for July 2 to take up the matter again. Although the City Council was bound by state law to authorize a budget before July 1, the start of fiscal 2014, the School Committee has no such obligation because its budget is already contained in the city budget. Instead, it will have the more pleasant problem of what to do with the extra money.

Zuchowski said it was difficult to total up the projected job losses pre-override because the number has been fluid. For example, the School Committee had to propose additional layoffs following Salzer's original budget because a busing contract came in higher than expected.

“With this proposal, most if not all the positions will be restored,” he said.

In fact, the School Committee expects to have some $200,000 remaining in a reserve fund so it can restore positions eliminated in previous years because of budget restraints.

“We’ve suffered cuts for so long, we have to take a look at many things,” he said.

The city does not expect to have to raise taxes for the next fiscal year.

 

CHICOPEE – The City Council passed a budget of $168 million three days before the start of the fiscal year, making few changes in the previous year’s budget.

Councilors went over the budget submitted by Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette line-by-line in a series of meetings this month but made few modifications. Most of the discussions about spending during the final meetings came from questions which were easily answered by Bissonnette or other city staff.

“It’s steady as she goes,” said Bissonnette at the end of a harmonious meeting with the council and the 12-0 vote to adopt the budget.

The budget total represents an increase of about $5 million over the fiscal year 2013 budget. It includes a school budget increase of about $2.5 million, bringing that total to about $77.4 million in the upcoming year. The water and sewer accounts will see an increase of about $1 million.

Among the few changes the council made was a cut the grant specialist’s salary, from $45,00 to $21,967. Councilor James K. Tillotson made the proposal, saying he wanted to see how successful the person was in obtaining grants. He said the mayor can return to the council in six months to request the other half of the salary.

It also trimmed the Information Systems director salary from the requested $96,000 to the $89,000 he is currently earning and shaved about $4,000 from the salary of the superintendent of the department of public works to $90,000. The salary for the superintendent, who was just hired, was estimated when the budget was created because his contract had not been finalized.

The one debate was over cutting in half the salary of the new compliance officer, who was to earn about $37,000 a year. Tillotson said he wanted to see how many tickets were written in the first six months to look at the performance.

The compliance officer was hired in the spring to deal with problem properties. He was recently give the authority to fine residents who break health and building department codes.

“I have been dealing with him and I don’t think you can judge his performance that way. He also performs a function of making the city look better and how do you put a dollar value on that,” Councilor Jean J. Croteau Jr. said.

After several other councilors agreed, Tillotson withdrew his proposal.

With nearly $11 million in the city’s stabilization or savings account and a slight increase in state assistance this year, Bissonnette said he does not expect to have to raise taxes this year. The tax rate is not usually set until October.

“It appears our potential revenue will exceed our proposed expenditures,” he said. “We will be able to have no tax increase this year.”

Police have recovered a rented Chrysler 300 that was driven by Ernest Wallace, who is wanted for serving as an accessory after the fact in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd, the man authorities say was murdered by former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez.

Ernest Wallace, who was wanted for serving as an accessory after the fact in the shooting death of Odin Lloyd, turned himself into authorities Friday afternoon in Miramir, Fla, according to Massachusetts State Police.

Officials said that Wallace decided to turn himself in when police released his name Thursday night. Unless unknown parties are still at large, police now have all three men connected to Lloyd's death in custody.

Lloyd, 27, was killed in a North Attleborough industrial park early June 17, less than a mile from former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez's home. His bullet-ridden body was found the next day by a jogger.

Hernandez is currently being held at the Bristol County Jail on a first-degree murder charge. A second request for bail was denied Thursday.

Police issued a regional alert asking for help in locating Wallace and a rented Chrysler 300 he was driving late Thursday night. The alert stated that the 41-year-old had ties to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia and Florida.

Court records for Wallace in those four states show no major or violent crimes.

The Boston Globe reported Friday that Hernandez is believed to have rented the vehicle so that his two alleged accomplices could get away. The vehicle was recovered in Bristol, Conn., Hernandez's hometown, after being spotted at an apartment complex.

Massachusetts State Police directed all questions about Wallace to the Bristol County District Attorney's office. The office has said it will not comment publicly on details pertaining to the case.

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Police in Bristol arrested Carlos Ortiz, a 27-year-old native, last week on a fugitive from justice warrant issued by Massachusetts. He appeared in court and waived his right to an extradition hearing.

The vehicle sought by police was recovered less than a mile from Ortiz's home. 

During his arraignment, the prosecution claimed that the football player summoned two men from Connecticut to join him at his North Attleborough home before Lloyd was killed.

Surveillance video obtained by police shows Ortiz entering Hernandez's home with a handgun prior to the murder. He has not been charged with murder.

Hernandez and Lloyd were dating sisters. He is believed to be the only person directly connected to the victim.

Hernandez's home and a Providence bar were searched as police continue investigate Lloyd's murder and a possible connection to a 2012 murder of two Boston men.

After state police searched the home two times last week, officers from Boston took their turn early Friday. Officers remained in the home for an hour but did not remove anything from the residence, according to WBZ.

In Providence, WJAR-TV reports that police were seeking surveillance footage from the South Street Cafe, but were unable to locate the video.

The proprietor of the business told the TV station that his business was involved in the Hernandez investigation.

It was reported that the Obama administration has approached the NFL and other sports leagues to help promote new insurance coverage.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's Republican leader is telling major league sports: Don't play with "Obamacare."

Following news that the administration has approached the NFL and other sports leagues to help promote new insurance coverage under President Barack Obama's health care law, Sen. Mitch McConnell fired off a letter Friday crying foul.

The Kentucky Republican wrote that leagues risk damaging their inclusive and apolitical brand and could be seen as taking sides in a highly polarized debate,.

The letter went to the NFL, MLB, the NBA, the NHL, the PGA and NASCAR.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said this week the administration is talking with the NFL and other groups to help promote the benefits of health insurance.

Uninsured people can start signing up Oct. 1 under the health care law.

Five lawmakers from Berkshire County will take the SNAP challenge for a week.

A group of Democratic lawmakers from western Massachusetts will constrict their weekly food budget to the $31.50 per person allowed through food stamps, known officially as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Five lawmakers from the western-most part of the state will take the SNAP challenge for a week. They follow in the footsteps of other state officials, such as Health and Human Services Secretary John Polanowicz and Congressman James McGovern, who had both feared cuts to the SNAP program in the U.S. House of Representatives, though the House failed to pass its version of the so-called farm bill which contained the cuts.

Sen. Ben Downing (D-Pittsfield), Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D-Lenox), and Rep. Paul Mark (D-Peru) will do their week’s shopping Monday, July 8, at Price Rite in Pittsfield.

Rep. Gailanne Cariddi (D-North Adams) will shop at the Price Chopper in North Adams, and Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield) will shop at the Big Y in Pittsfield. Polanowicz did his shopping at Sav-A-Lot in Springfield.

Three teenagers were arrested Thursday in connection to a vehicle break-in on Foster Street, report police.

WORCESTER - Three teenagers were arrested Thursday in connection to a vehicle break-in on Foster Street, report police.

According to police, a security guard at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences saw three men breaking into a motor vehicle on Foster Street. Police were notified that the suspects were fleeing on bikes heading towards Mechanic Street. Officers were able to apprehend the suspects. Police were able to obtain surveillance video that showed the suspects breaking into the vehicle.

According to police, the suspects were in possession of a machete, flashlight, screwdriver and money.

Armando Cruz, 17, of 10 Jefferson Street Apt. 1, Worcester, was charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle during the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, carrying a dangerous weapon, larceny under $250.

Miguel Rivera, 19, of 56 Paine Street, Apt. 1, Worcester, was charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle during the nighttime with intent to commit a felony and possession of burglarious instrument.

A juvenile was charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle during the nighttime with intent to commit a felony.

Just an hour after his trial started, a Pittsfield man pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges.

• Some say epic, others say it made them cry; 'Shark Week' commercial gets mixed reviews [CNN.com]
  
• Inflatable pig joins Walmart protesters [WWLP.com]
  
• Vernal pool habitat created for toads [Cape Cod Times]
  
• Hour into trial, Pittsfield man pleads guilty to domestic abuse charges [The Berkshire Eagle]
  
• The comedic hero and the American sandwich [WBUR.org]
  
• Facts about the royal baby [Time.com]
  
• Former Hartford man pleads guilty to sex trafficking of a minor [The Hartford Courant]
  
• Obama uncertain about Nelson Mandela visit [NECN.com]
  
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St. Amand said the development will take place with or without a casino.

James St. Amand 

James L. St. Amand of Palmer 

PALMER - Northeast Realty Associates and its development partner, Cardinal’s View LLC, have announced that the 1.1 acre Sakowski property at the "triangle parcel" at Thorndike and Shearer streets will be purchased in August. This parcel, at 405 Shearer St., will be incorporated into Northeast's plan to develop that corridor, and is currently under option.

The Sakowski parcel abuts the exit 8 ramp of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

James L. St. Amand, Northeast Realty's community liaison, said this represents part of phase 1 of the development project planned for that corridor, which is being called the "Gateway to Western Massachusetts." This area consists of 20 acres under Northeast's control.

St. Amand said the development will take place with or without a casino. Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun is proposing a resort casino across from this site on 152 acres owned by Northeast on Thorndike Street (Route 32).

The Sakowski property news follows another recent announcement by Northeast about its agreement with Pride Stores, a gas station company, to lease a portion of the 20 acres for a fueling facility and convenience store.

Northeast recently purchased the former Rondeau icehouse property, which is adjacent to the triangle, and plans to develop approximately 5 acres there. Northeast also hopes to develop 110 acres abutting the proposed casino site.

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Whether Perry blindsided Cohen on cuts to his budget continued to fester Friday.

AGAWAM – Mayor Richard A. Cohen came out swinging Friday against City Councilor Dennis J. Perry in the latest chapter in their dispute over $150,000 in cuts proposed by Perry and that were made to the mayor’s proposed fiscal 2014 budget.

At issue are two cuts Perry proposed making during the City Council meeting Monday during which officials adopted a $79.1 million spending plan for the financial year that starts Monday. Perry has said if the mayor had attended a June 11 council budget workshop he would have known about his proposals instead of being allegedly “blindsided” at the June 17 council meeting. Instead of going to the June 11 session, Cohen has said he had to chair a School Committee meeting.

“I attended all the (budget) meetings I was supposed to,” Cohen said. “They scheduled a meeting for June 11 and I got blindsided.”

The mayor said he believes Perry was aware of the School Committee meeting schedule.

During the June 17 council meeting Perry handed out a sheet with proposed cuts that included trimming $50,000 from the reserve fund and $100,000 from the salary reserve fund used to cover future cost-of-living raises for municipal employees. The council approved those cuts over strong objections by Cohen, who reportedly raised his voice and accused Perry of “blindsiding” him. The mayor argued during the June 17 meeting that those proposed cuts were not brought up at either of the two other council’s budget workshops he had attended, and he chastised Perry for not bringing up the cuts during the council’s public hearing that night during which Cohen was available for questioning.

Perry said Cohen should have been made aware of the proposed cuts by either School Superintendent William P. Sapelli or School Committee member Diane M. Juzba, who went to the June 11 workshop. However, Juzba said she did not hear anything definite, but missed the first 15 minutes of the June 11 workshop. Sapelli said he did not either recall anything definite either, but only caught the last few minutes of the June 11 session.

However, City Councilor Paul C. Cavallo, who was at the workshop, said Friday that “about a million different ideas were thrown out at the meeting” and there were no agreements made as to any dollar amounts. The councilor said he did not see the proposed cuts in writing until they were passed out by Perry that same night the budget was passed.

Cavallo said the budget-setting meeting was the first time he saw any figures.

“I had never seen them in that format. They were just talked about,” Cavallo said.

However, Perry gave a different account of the meeting.

The councilor said he went over figures at the end of the budget workshop session.

“They (councilors) were all aware of what we talked about,” Perry said.

Minutes of the workshop list 10 different topics as among those raised during that one-hour-and-25-minute session, including: “what size reserve fund in appropriate for the town” and “the amount requested for salary reserve in the town and school committee budget requests.” The minutes did not list any figures.

Mastroianni said that early job burnout had nothing to do with the decision to throw his hat in the ring for the judge's seat.

SPRINGFIELD - Two years into his first term as the county's top prosecutor, Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni has applied to a sought-after federal judgeship.

Mastroianni said that early job burnout had nothing to do with the decision to throw his hat in the ring for the judge's seat. He noted that countless state judgeships have come and gone without any interest from him.

"I’m happy with what I'm doing and with the type of work this office is doing. A federal judgeship is something that comes around so infrequently," Mastroianni said during an interview, declining to speculate on how the search is progressing but acknowledging he had surpassed early hurdles.

Mastroianni, 47, of Westfield, captured the district attorney seat in an upset against former state Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, after Mastroianni switched his party affiliation in advance of the 2010 election and averted a crowded Democratic field. Buoniconti was still the presumed winner until Mastroianni swept nearly every city and town to take the position vacated by 20-year District Attorney William M. Bennett.

The judgeship became open when U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor took senior, or semi-retired status, in 2011. The federal courthouse on State Street in Springfield has just one district judge, a federal magistrate judge and a bankruptcy judge. Ponsor announced his intentions to lighten his workload a year before, voicing concerns that a presidential election and other political maneuvers could get in the way of a speedy replacement.

Traditionally, the senior U.S. senator assembles a search committee which chooses three names for the senator's review. The lawmaker then advances a single name to the president, who then nominates someone to be scrutinized and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Despite Ponsor's best efforts, politics have gotten in the way, but in a mysterious way. While former Sens. Scott P. Brown, a Republican, and John F. Kerry, a Democrat recommended a local state judge as a nominee, the recommendation never even made it to the president's desk.

Superior Court Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder, a Republican, was expected to sail through the nomination process with widespread respect and support from the legal community and both parties. Not to be. He withdrew his name from the process when U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren became the senior senator in January.

Warren signaled her intentions to convene her own committee and Kinder wrote her to report that he did not care to go through the process again, and had become disillusioned with the climate in Washington.

According to statistics from the U.S. federal courts, 10 percent of federal judgeships are open, primarily due to filibusters in the Senate. Kinder had no apparent vulnerabilities that would hold up his nomination, according to local attorneys and Ponsor himself.

Warren's office did not return a call for comment. However, those with knowledge of the search process said Mastroianni's name was advanced along with two others - a federal prosecutor and a civil rights lawyer from Connecticut.

Mastroianni said the decision to apply was a soul-searching one; he conceded it could hurt him politically if he pressed forward to campaign for another six-year term.

"If I was able to stay in this job and run for a second term knowing that I’m very invested in this job and like what I’m doing, but took the chance to explore a once-in-a-lifetime professional opportunity - would that hurt me politically? I've thought about that, sure," Mastroianni said, adding that he will suspend fund raising while he is in contention for the judgeship.

Campaigning for his second term would begin in earnest in late 2014 with a November election.

"I can't account for timing for things that come up that could affect the rest of my life," he said.

The current salary for Hampden District Attorney is $148,000 annually while the federal judgeship pays $174,000.

Mastroianni said his office is "more energized than ever" and cited increased community outreach as one of the most significant changes under his administration.

In cases where a district attorney leaves mid-term, the governor names a replacement. For instance, Middlesex District Attorney Gerard Leone Jr. left for private practice in April and Gov. Deval L. Patrick named Michael Pelgro, the first assistant Middlesex District attorney, to serve as acting district attorney.

Mastroianni eliminated the first assistant position after taking office.

After flitting between tiny gains and losses most of Friday, the stock market closed mostly lower, a peaceful end to the most volatile month in nearly two years.

In this Tuesday, May 28, 2013, file photo, specialist Jason Hardzewicz, left, works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. World stock markets were boosted Friday June 28, 2013 by encouraging indicators from Japan and further proof that the U.S. economy is on the upswing. AP Photo/Richard Drew 

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK — Given the wild trading of late, it was a calm close to the month.

After flitting between tiny gains and losses most of Friday, the stock market closed mostly lower, a peaceful end to the most volatile month in nearly two years.

"It's a dull Friday," said Gary Flam, a stock manager at Bel Air Investment Advisors. A bull market, he added, is "rarely a straight march up."

The Standard & Poor's 500 index ended its bumpy ride in June down 1.5 percent, the first monthly loss since October. The index still had its best first half of a year since 1998.

Investors seemed unsure how to react to recent statements by Federal Reserve officials about when the central bank might end its support for the economy. Mixed economic news Friday added to investor uncertainty after big stock gains.

On Friday, an index consumer confidence was up but a gauge of business activity in the Chicago area plunged.

"Investors don't know what to make of the news," said John Toohey, vice president of stock investments at USAA Investment Management. "I wouldn't be surprised to see more ups and downs."

The S&P 500 stock index closed down 6.92 points, or 0.4 percent, to 1,606.28. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 114.89 points, or 0.8 percent, to 14,909.60. The Nasdaq composite index rose 1.38 points, or 0.04 percent, to 3,403.25.

Stocks have jumped around in June. By contrast, the first five months of the year were mostly calm, marked by small but steady gains as investors bought on news of higher home prices, record corporate earnings and an improving jobs market.

By May 21, the S&P 500 had climbed to a record 1,669, up 18 percent for the year. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke the next day, and prices began gyrating.

Investors have long known that the central bank would eventually pull back from its bond purchases, which are designed to lower interest rates and get people to borrow and spend more. Last week, Bernanke got more specific about the timing. He said the Fed could start purchasing fewer bonds later this year, and stop buying them completely by the middle of next year, if the economy continued to strengthen.

Investors dumped stocks, but then had second thoughts this week as other Fed officials stressed that the central bank wouldn't pull back on its support soon. The Dow gained 365 points over the previous three days this week. The Dow has had 16 triple-digit moves for the month, the most since September 2011.

Bonds have also been on a bumpy ride in recent weeks, mostly down.

The prospect of fewer purchases by the Fed sent investors fleeing from all sorts of bonds — municipals, U.S. Treasury securities, corporate bonds, foreign government debt and high-yield bonds. Investors pulled a record $23 billion from bond mutual funds in the five trading days ended Wednesday, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Bond yields, which move in the opposite direction of bond prices, have rocketed.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.49 percent from 2.47 percent late Thursday. Last month, the yield was as low as 1.63 percent. Treasury yields help set borrowing costs for a large range of consumer and business loans.

It's been a rocky month in foreign markets, too. Major indexes in France, Germany and Britain have lost about 5 percent in June.

In U.S. economic news Friday, the University of Michigan said its index of consumer sentiment dipped to 84.1 in June from 84.5 the previous month. But that was still relatively high. May's reading was the highest since July 2007.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Business Barometer sank to 51.6 from a 14-month high of 58.7 in May. That was well below the level of 55 that economists polled by FactSet were expecting.

Bill Strazzullo, chief strategist of Bell Curve Trading, is worried stock investors will sell on any signs the Fed is slowing down its economic stimulus program.

"This rally is still very much being supported by monetary easing by central banks," he said. He added, referring to Friday's quiet trading: "It's the calm before the storm."

Eight of the 10 industry groups in the S&P 500 were down for the day, led by health care companies. They fell 0.9 percent.

In commodities trading, gold gained $12.10 to $1,223.70 an ounce. The price of crude oil fell 49 cents to $96.56 a barrel. The dollar rose against the euro and the Japanese yen.

Among stocks making big moves:

• BlackBerry maker Research In Motion plunged $4.02, or 28 percent, to $10.46 after the company posted a surprise loss in the first quarter and warned of future losses despite releasing its new line of smartphones this year. The company also discontinued making new versions of its slow-selling tablet device, The Playbook.
• Accenture fell $8.26, or 10 percent, to $71.96. The consulting firm cut its revenue and profit outlook for its fiscal year ending in August. Revenue was hurt by lower demand in Europe as well as its communications, media and technology division.
• Hospira rose $2.16, or 6 percent, to $38.31. The drug company said it had received a positive opinion from a European drug regulator for a drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis, among other illnesses. A final decision could come three months.

A recent study showed that people are comfortable swimming with out a lifeguard present, but don't know the steps to save a person drowning.

Swimmers compete in a 200 yard individual medley heat at the Western Massachusetts high school swimming championships at Chicopee High School this year.Don Treeger/The Republican 

SPRINGFIELD — Every year the American Red Cross polls people on water safety. Do you and your children know how to swim? Is it okay to talk on the phone while supervising swimmers in a pool? Do you know how to help a swimmer who is drowning?

The results were a bit surprising.

"The study showed that 11 percent of people polled thought it was acceptable to talk on the phone or read while supervising children in a pool, that is definitely not acceptable," said Dawn Leaks, regional director for the American Red Cross of Pioneer Valley. "The best thing to do is to designate one person who's job it will be to focus on the swimmers."

Summer is here and along with picnics by the lake, pool parties and visits to the beach there is also a high risk for drownings.

In the past few weeks alone Western Massachusetts has had several tragic drownings in Holyoke, Otis, West Springfield and Pittsfield.

"The sad truth is that most of these tragic events are preventable, if people take the proper precautions and are aware of water safety," Leaks said.

In Holyoke 18-year old Johnathan Ramos fell from a high cliff along the Connecticut River and died on June 17.

On Tuesday, search crews recovered the body of 22-year-old Derrick J. Vonberg Jr., of East Otis, who had been missing since Sunday after he had jumped off a boat in the Otis Reservoir.

On June 25 the body of 24-year-old Wilfredo Domes-Guzman of Holyoke was recovered from the Westfield River in West Springfield.

Pittsfield rescue workers recovered the body of a man who drowned in the Hoosatonic River Tuesday. The man jumped into the river and was pulled under by the current and became trapped in the spillway of the Tel-Electric Dam on Mill Street.

Rescue workers were not able to retrieve the body until Wednesday afternoon when they were finally able to stop the flow of water.

The man was believed to be from California and police are trying to determine his identity.

Leaks said people should be familiar with the bodies of water where they are swimming.

"A lot of people will go to a lake or a pond and think it is safer, but some have very swift currents," she said.

In Holyoke, residents and city officials are hoping to start a dialogue about swimming safety as well as the possibility of limiting access to the area where Ramos drowned.

Holyoke Police Capt. Frederick J. Seklecki said closing off the area known as High Rock would be a challenge because railroad tracks are only 15 feet from that point and the railroad company must have access to the tracks.

"It's very, very close to the railroad tracks, so I don't know how you would close that off without affecting the railroad," said Seklecki, acting chief while Police Chief James M. Neiswanger is on vacation.

"There isn't a lot of room between the railroad tracks and the river," he said.

Property jurisdiction is another issue in the area. The state Environmental Police control the waterway and then a combination of the city, the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department and Pan Am Southern LLC, of North Billerica, which owns the railroad tracks, control parts of the area, officials said.

Efforts to reach someone from the Pan Am were not immediately successful.

In order to police the area, local police cite a state statute that allows for arrests to be made if someone is caught on railroad tracks, Seklecki said.

Most calls police get regarding that area are nuisance issues, such as noise if someone is operating an all terrain vehicle, he said.

"Kids go swimming there. We discourage it, but they still go there," Seklecki said.

Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse said while it may not be possible to close the area off there are things the city can do to educate residents about swimming safety.

"I think we need to partner with our local YMCA and other organizations that can help us make sure our young people know how to protect themselves from similar situations," he said.

The Red Cross is known for its blood drives and for providing assistance during natural disasters and fires, but the non-profit organization also offers swimming classes for children and adults.

"People can log on to our website and find an American Red Cross near you that will offer the classes," she said.

The telephone survey, which polled 1,011 adults over the age of 18, also revealed that 93 percent of folks could not identify the proper steps for helping someone who is drowning.

"A lot of people just aren't sure about what to do. The classes teach people how to swim, but also what to do if they or another swimmer are in a dangerous situation," she said.

The study also revealed that only 32 percent of African Americans have taken swimming classes, a low number in comparison to 49 percent of Hispanics and 56 percent of whites.

Another interesting, little known fact is that water wings are not sufficient for keeping children safe in the water. The study revealed 67 percent of adults thought the popular flotation devices could keep a child from drowning.

"The best and safest thing is to get each child a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket," Leaks said.

For more safety tips visit www.redcross.org.

Staff reporter Michael Plaisance contributed to this report.