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Penn. minister who performed marriage ceremony for gay son suspended by church for 30 days

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Rev. Frank Schaefer was told to surrender his credentials if he decides he can't uphold all of the church's Book of Discipline.

SPRING CITY, Pa. (AP) — A United Methodist minister from southeastern Pennsylvania who was convicted under church law of officiating at his son's same-sex wedding ceremony was suspended for 30 days Tuesday and told he will lose his credentials if he violates any of the church's rules in that time.

The same jury of fellow pastors that convicted Rev. Frank Schaefer on Monday of breaking his vows sentenced him Tuesday to the suspension. The jury told him he must "discern his newly discovered calling to the LGBT community" and surrender his credentials if he decides he can't uphold all of the church's Book of Discipline.

Before the punishment ruling, Schaefer, who was convicted for officiating at his son's 2007 wedding ceremony in Massachusetts, told the jury Tuesday that he is unrepentant and refused to promise he wouldn't perform more gay unions.

Rather than beg for mercy Tuesday in the trial that has rekindled debate within the nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination over church policies on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, the pastor upped the stakes, telling jurors in that he has been called by God to be an advocate for the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.

The church "needs to stop judging people based on their sexual orientation," he said. "We have to stop the hate speech. We have to stop treating them as second-class Christians."

Schaefer donned a rainbow-colored stole on the witness stand and told jurors it symbolized his commitment to the cause.

"I will never be silent again," he said, as some of his supporters wept in the gallery. "This is what I have to do."

Jon Boger, who filed the initial complaint against Schaefer, was outraged by the pastor's recalcitrance. The career Naval officer grew up in Zion United Methodist Church of Iona, the church that Schaefer has led for 11 years.

"Frank Schaefer sat here and openly rebuked the United Methodist Church, its policies, standards and doctrines," Bolger said when called as a rebuttal witness. "He should no longer be in service as a minister of the United Methodist Church, not at Iona, not anywhere else."

Gay Marriage Methodis_Desk.jpgView full sizeThis Sept. 2013 photo provided by The Rev. Frank Schaefer shows Schaefer, right, and his son Tim. The Rev. Frank Schaefer, 51, charged under United Methodist law with officiating Tim's same-sex marriage, was susspended for 30 days on Tuesday for officiating the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts. Schaefer's supporters argue that church teaching on homosexuality is outmoded. 
The nation's largest mainline Protestant denomination accepts gay and lesbian members, but it rejects the practice of homosexuality as "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Earlier Tuesday, the Methodists' prosecutor called former members of Schaefer's church who said his conduct split the congregation, and experts who said the punishment should serve as a deterrent to other like-minded clergy.

Christina Watson said her family left Schaefer's church because they no longer wanted to be "subjected to the preaching and teaching" of Schaefer.

"To me, it wasn't a good Christian example for ministers to say it's OK to break the rules of your church," she testified.

The Rev. Paul Stallworth, who leads a United Methodist task force on sexuality and abortion, testified that church law requires jurors to "openly rebuke" Schaefer so that fellow clergy will think twice before breaking it.

Schaefer had previously testified that he performed his son's 2007 wedding in Massachusetts out of love, not a desire to flout church teaching on homosexuality.

But Tuesday's testimony made clear he has had a change of heart.

"I have to minister to those who hurt and that's what I'm doing," said Schaefer.

The prosecutor, the Rev. Christopher Fisher, invited Schaefer to "repent of your actions" and pledge never again to perform a homosexual union.

"I cannot," Schaefer replied.

His son, Tim Schaefer, told jurors he knew he was putting his father in a difficult position by asking him to officiate his wedding. But he concluded he would hurt his father's feelings if he didn't ask.

Schaefer said he hoped his father's trial would start a larger conversation in the denomination.


Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins fend off New York Rangers, 2-1

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The Boston Bruins spoiled the return of New York forward Rick Nash in a 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK — Tuukka Rask made 43 saves — including a stop on a first-period penalty shot — and the Boston Bruins spoiled the return of New York forward Rick Nash in a 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night.

Rask, playing on back-to-back days for the first time this season, denied Chris Kreider's penalty shot and turned away everything else except for Derick Brassard's power-play goal in the second.

Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille, with his 10th career short-handed goal, provided all the offense Rask needed in the second period as the Bruins (14-6-1) finished a 2-1 road trip after winning at Carolina on Monday.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 shots, but most of the action was at the other end. The Rangers have only two goals in three games, splitting a pair of 1-0 decisions in the previous two. New York has dropped three in a row at home.

Rask was still sharp in the third period when the Bruins killed a cross-checking penalty against Brad Marchand, who shoved Mats Zuccarello from behind into the boards in front of the Rangers bench.

Nash skated well and had several scoring chances in his return from a 17-game absence caused by a concussion sustained in New York's third game of the season on Oct. 8.

The Bruins recorded only seven shots in the second — compared to 17 for the Rangers — but cashed in on two to take a 2-0 lead. Thornton broke the seal on the scoreless game at 4:58 when he sent a rising wrist shot over Lundqvist's glove for his third of the season.

The Rangers (10-11) got a chance to get even a few minutes later when they went on their second power play against the vaunted Bruins' penalty killers, successful in 33 consecutive short-handed situations. Not only did Boston hold New York at bay, Paille gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead.

Ryan McDonagh tried to get the puck to Ryan Callahan just inside the Boston zone at the right point, but Paille broke up the pass and headed the other way alone, with Callahan chasing. Paille moved to his backhand and beat Lundqvist between the pads for a short-handed goal at 11:30.

New York got that one back with only a couple of seconds remaining on the power play when Brassard sent a floating wrist shot from the left circle into the top far corner at 12:31 for his fourth goal, ending Boston's streak.

The Bruins were outshot 33-13 through two periods but stayed ahead because of Rask's stellar play. Boston is 101-6-6 in games in which it has held a two-goal lead, including 11-0-2 this season, dating to the 2010-11 campaign.

Nash saw early action and took part on the first power-play unit after big Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was called for high-sticking Zuccarello at 4:23. Nash had a prime scoring chance in the closing minutes of the first period when he came in on Rask for a partial breakaway, but was denied.

New York held a 16-6 edge in shots during the first 20 minutes.

Boston's Dennis Seidenberg left the ice with an undisclosed injury less than 5 minutes in and didn't return, leaving the Bruins with just five defensemen.

NOTES: Bruins C Patrice Bergeron played in his 600th NHL game, all with Boston. ... The Bruins hadn't allowed a power-play goal since Oct. 30 at Pittsburgh. ... J.T. Miller was scratched to make room for Nash. D Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch for the third straight game.

South Hadley Town Meeting approves medical marijuana cultivation by nearly unanimous vote

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Town officials said that with many communities delaying any decision on the issue, it was prudent to carve out in the zoning bylaws exactly where and under what conditions marijuana processing can happen.

SOUTH HADLEY — Town Meeting overwhelmingly said yes to medical marijuana cultivation, production and distribution on Tuesday.

The zoning enacted greatly restricts where the activities can occur, requires 24-hour video surveillance, and planning board and selectboard approvals for facility sitings.

Town officials said that with many communities delaying any decision on the issue, it was prudent to carve out in the zoning bylaws exactly where and under what conditions marijuana processing can happen.

Massachusetts voters approved a ballot question a year ago by 63 percent to 37 percent that legalized marijuana use for illnesses that include cancer, glaucoma, and Parkinson’s disease, under a doctor’s supervision.

South Hadley Town Meeting's approval of the marijuana proposals included statements about the positive economic impact. The vote at Town Hall was nearly unanimous.

Town administrator Michael Sullivan and town planner Richard Harris said the community did not want get caught flat-footed, should a marijuana cultivation facility decide to locate in town.

“Right now,” Harris said, zoning bylaws would have allowed the activity.

Without the strict land use policies Town Meeting adopted, South Hadley would not have been able to enforce the regulation voters approved Tuesday.

“This will restrict where they go,” Harris said. “It makes it very clear cut.”

Police Chief David LaBrie spoke, saying that although he and much of the law enforcement community opposed the November 2012 ballot question legalizing regulated medical marijuana cultivation, production and distribution, it now is the law of the land, and that the town’s action to pinpoint where facilities can set up shop is wise.

“The misuse of marijuana is a detriment, we lost a battle,” LaBrie said, adding: “I am very comfortable with” the South Hadley land use restrictions and the security requirements.

Research shows children are less fit than their parents were

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An analysis of studies on millions of children around the world finds they don't run as fast or as far as their parents did when they were young.

1120fitness.JPGIn this May 13, 2007 file photo, boys participate in 100 meter race during two-day World Athletics Day meet in Bangalore, India. An analysis of studies on 250 million children around the world finds they don't run as fast or as far as their parents did when they were young. Research featured at the American Heart Association's annual conference on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, showed that on average, children 9 to 17 take 90 seconds longer to run a mile than their counterparts did 30 years ago.  

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

DALLAS — Today's kids can't keep up with their parents. An analysis of studies on millions of children around the world finds they don't run as fast or as far as their parents did when they were young.

On average, it takes children 90 seconds longer to run a mile than their counterparts did 30 years ago. Heart-related fitness has declined 5 percent per decade since 1975 for children ages 9 to 17.

The American Heart Association, whose conference featured the research on Tuesday, says it's the first to show that children's fitness has declined worldwide over the last three decades.

"It makes sense. We have kids that are less active than before," said Dr. Stephen Daniels, a University of Colorado pediatrician and spokesman for the heart association.

Health experts recommend that children 6 and older get 60 minutes of moderately vigorous activity accumulated over a day. Only one-third of American kids do now.

"Kids aren't getting enough opportunities to build up that activity over the course of the day," Daniels said. "Many schools, for economic reasons, don't have any physical education at all. Some rely on recess" to provide exercise.

Sam Kass, a White House chef and head of first lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move program, stressed the role of schools in a speech to the conference on Monday.

"We are currently facing the most sedentary generation of children in our history," Kass said.

The new study was led by Grant Tomkinson, an exercise physiologist at the University of South Australia. Researchers analyzed 50 studies on running fitness — a key measure of cardiovascular health and endurance — involving 25 million children ages 9 to 17 in 28 countries from 1964 to 2010.

The studies measured how far children could run in 5 to 15 minutes and how quickly they ran a certain distance, ranging from half a mile to two miles. Today's kids are about 15 percent less fit than their parents were, researchers concluded.

"The changes are very similar for boys and girls and also for various ages," but differed by geographic region, Tomkinson said.

The decline in fitness seems to be leveling off in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and perhaps in the last few years in North America. However, it continues to fall in China, and Japan never had much falloff — fitness has remained fairly consistent there. About 20 million of the 25 million children in the studies were from Asia.

In China, annual fitness test data show the country's students are getting slower and fatter over the past couple of decades.

Experts and educators blame an obsession with academic testing scores for China's competitive college admissions as well as a proliferation of indoor entertainment options like gaming and web surfing for the decline.

China's Education Ministry data show that in 2010 male college students ran 1,000 meters 14 to 15 seconds slower on average than male students who ran a decade earlier. Female students slowed by about 12 seconds in running 800 meters.

Tomkinson and Daniels said obesity likely plays a role, since it makes it harder to run or do any aerobic exercise. Too much time watching television and playing video games and unsafe neighborhoods with not enough options for outdoor play also may play a role, they said.

Other research discussed global declines in activity.

Fitness is "pretty poor in adults and even worse in young people," especially in the United States and eastern Europe, said Dr. Ulf Ekelund of the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo, Norway.

World Health Organization numbers suggest that 80 percent of young people globally may not be getting enough exercise.

Online:

Healthy lifestyle guidelines: http://bit.ly/16ZnV7e

Holyoke Public Library announces 'Toddler Time' and other programs for children and parents

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Story times, craft-making and bingo are among family programs the library offers.

HOLYOKE- It's "Toddler Time" again at the Holyoke Public Library.

Each Monday at 10 a.m., the library holds a gathering of parents or caregivers and children so adults can share ideas and toddlers can play and interact with each other, says library director Maria G. Pagan.

"Children’s librarians, Nathan Hayes and Jason LeFebvre, would appreciate suggestions and ideas from participants to help make the program more meaningful," Pagan said.

The library reopened on Oct. 28 after a $14.5 million renovation which took nearly two years. Its new address is 250 Chestnut St., which is through an addition built onto what had been the rear of the old structure, which fronted on Maple Street.

The library also offers other children's programs. Preschool story time is held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It lasts for an hour and involves several stories, and then children can make a craft to take home. The stories are the same on each of the three days for a week, "so when registering for the program, please indicate which day you would like to attend," the press release said.

An evening story time is offered Tuesday at 6 p.m.

To register call (413) 420-8105 or visit the library.

The library offers "drop-in craft time" on Mondays from 4 to 7 p.m. for children in grades 1 to 6. At each session a different craft is created, frequently following a seasonal or holiday theme.

The library provides all craft materials for free and children can take home what they make.

Family bingo is held on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. for adults and children of all ages, with prizes offered.

To share ideas, call Hayes or LeFebvre at (413) 420-8105 or email the library at library@holyoke.org

Springfield firefighters extinguish residential porch fire at corner of White and Standish streets in Forest Park

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Firefighters quickly extinguished a porch fire at a home at the corner of White and Standish streets.

SPRINGFIELD — Firefighters responded to an early Wednesday porch fire at a residence near the corner of White and Standish streets in the city's Forest Park neighborhood.

The cause of the fire, reported at 3:20 a.m., and the extent of damage were not immediately known.

An arson investigator arrived at the scene, a 2½-story house in the 400 block of White Street, at about 3:30 a.m. There were no reported injuries in the fire, which was quickly extinguished.

Springfield fire officials described the incident as a "very small porch fire." Additional information was not immediately available.


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Daniel Dejesus arrested in Holyoke after police drug raid finds heroin, unlawful firearms

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Dejesus, age 26, of 532 South Canal St., was facing 26 total charges.

HOLYOKE – A 26-year-old Holyoke man is facing numerous weapons and drug charges after a raid on his residence by state, federal and local law enforcement yielded 42 bags of heroin and four firearms, police said.

Daniel Dejesus, age 26, of 532 South Canal St., was charged with 26 total charges including four counts each of possession of a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony and improperly storing weapons, six counts of possession of a large capacity weapon or feeding device, and single counts each of possession and possession with intent to distribute of a Class A substance.

Holyoke narcotics officers, members of the Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, troopers with the state police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant of Dejesus’ residents at 2 p.m., said Holyoke police spokesman Lt. Jim Albert.

daniel dejesus.jpgDaniel Dejesus 

In addition to the drugs, the raid yielded a VEPR 7.62-caliber high capacity rifle, a Colt .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun, a Smith & Wesson .357-caliber revolver, and a Smith & Wesson .22-caliber semiautomatic target pistol, he said.

Chief James Neiswanger has directed the narcotics and gang units to increase focus on gun-related crimes. The warrant arose out of an increased pressure by police on drug dealers and gangs. In the past week, police have seized a total of 9 firearms, Albert said.


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Westfield's Stanley Park to receive donation to aid in repair of wildlife sanctuary bridges

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Dan Ashburn, owner and operator of the McDonald’s restaurant at 299 E. Main St., Thursday will present a check to help restore bridges in the Stanley Park Wildlife Sanctuary.


WESTFIELD – Dan Ashburn, owner and operator of the McDonald’s restaurant at 299 E. Main St., Thursday will present a check to help restore bridges in the Stanley Park Wildlife Sanctuary.

The event will be from 9 until 11 p.m.

As part of its “Night of 1,000 Customers,” the festivities will include music from LAZER 99.3 along with .25 cent cheeseburgers (limit five) during the event time period. Starting at 9 p.m., the first 100 customers will receive a McDonald’s gift card. A television will be given away at 10:30 p.m.

On Sunday McDonald’s donated water to participants in the Run Stanley 5K event who raised money to help replace the bridges. 


LAX shooting: TSA officer died minutes after being shot, coroner says

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The detail comes after The Associated Press reported Friday that agencies are investigating whether paramedics could have come to TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez's aid sooner.

LOS ANGELES — The Transportation Security Administration officer who was killed in a gunman's attack at Los Angeles International Airport died two to five minutes after he was shot, coroner's officials said Wednesday.

The detail comes after The Associated Press reported Friday that agencies are investigating whether paramedics could have come to TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez's aid sooner after the Nov. 1 shooting.

Hernandez lay on the floor 20 feet from the exit for 33 minutes before he was rushed to an ambulance outside, even though the gunman had been subdued within five minutes, officials told AP. But it was unclear when Hernandez died or whether immediate medical attention could have saved his life.

Although Hernandez's autopsy hasn't been finalized, there was pressure to clarify when he died, said Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. More details were expected to be released in a final report later this week, he said.

Formal conclusions could take months, but what's known raises the possibility that a lack of coordination between police and fire officials prevented speedy treatment for Hernandez and other victims.

Authorities say Paul Ciancia was targeting TSA workers in a vendetta against the federal government when he pulled a semi-automatic rifle out of a duffel bag inside Terminal 3 and shot Hernandez.

In court documents and interviews, authorities spelled out a chilling chain of events. After Ciancia fired repeatedly at Hernandez, he went up an escalator, turned back to see Hernandez move, and returned to shoot him again, according to surveillance video reviewed by investigators.

He then fired on two other uniformed TSA employees and an airline passenger, who all were wounded, as he moved methodically through the security checkpoint to the passenger gate area. Airport police shot him as panicked travelers hid in stores and restaurants.

Hernandez eventually arrived at the hospital with no signs of life and doctors worked for an hour to revive him.

A preliminary coroner's report said a bullet hit Hernandez's aorta, the main artery in the body, which would have caused the massive bleeding, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the findings. The official was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

In the chaos after the shooting, officers from multiple agencies checked on Hernandez before moving on, including at least one within three minutes of him being shot; no officers rendered first aid on scene, according to surveillance video reviewed by two law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the investigation.

Officials were examining what conversations took place between police and fire commanders to determine when it was safe enough to enter, and whether paramedics could have gone into the terminal earlier, one of the officials said.

Airport officials said in a statement Wednesday that agencies are conducting "numerous investigations" and would release a report once the probes are completed.

News of how long it took to get Hernandez medical aid prompted the head of the TSA union, J. David Cox Sr., to say he was appalled and a local TSA union official said a more timely response might have saved Hernandez's life. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating whether one of its officers improperly told other responders that Hernandez was dead when he checked on him five minutes after the shooting.

Airport police union President Marshall McClain has said the officer shouldn't have been the one to determine whether Hernandez was dead and should have helped him. While it was unclear if the officer was qualified to assess Hernandez's medical condition, the coroner's finding indicates Hernandez was likely dead at that point.

McClain declined to comment Wednesday because of the active internal investigation.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said in a statement Wednesday that the coroner's report shows Hernandez could not have been saved. He criticized "irresponsible" media reports.

"What concerns me most about this is that it brought needless trauma to the grieving family members of Officer Hernandez," Beck said.

Ciancia, 23, was transferred from a hospital into U.S. Marshals custody Tuesday. He could face the death penalty if convicted of a federal murder charge.

Report: 85-year-old US citizen detained in North Korea

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The son of Merrill Newman told the San Jose Mercury News that his father was taken off a plane set to leave North Korea on Oct. 26.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — An 85-year-old American veteran of the Korean War has been detained in North Korea since last month, his family said Wednesday.

The son of Merrill Newman told the San Jose Mercury News that his father was taken off a plane set to leave North Korea on Oct. 26. Jeffrey Newman said no reason was given.

Newman, from Palo Alto, Calif., was traveling with Bob Hamrdla, who was allowed to return.

Hamrdla said in a statement that "there has to be a terrible misunderstanding. I hope that the North Koreans will see this as a humanitarian matter and allow him to return to his family as soon as possible."

The U.S. State Department wouldn't confirm the detention, and North Korea's state media has yet to comment.

The detention comes about a year after North Korea detained another American. North Korea has detained at least six other Americans since 2009.

According to a newsletter at the Channing House retirement complex in Palo Alto, Calif., where Newman has lived with his wife, Lee, since 2011, Newman spent three years as an infantry officer in the Korean War.

Newman also took Korean language lessons in preparation for what he intended would be a 10-day trip to North Korea, accompanied by two Korean guides, according to another edition of the newsletter.

"He's always wanted to go to North Korea," Jeffrey Newman told the Mercury News. "It's been a lifelong thing."

The younger Newman said that the day before his father was scheduled to return home, he met with North Korean officials who asked him about his Army service.

Because the United States has no diplomatic relations with North Korea, Jeffrey Newman says the family has been working through State Department officials and the Swedish Embassy to secure his father's freedom.

The Swedish ambassador also delivered his father's heart medication to the North Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry, Newman's son said.

The State Department on Tuesday heightened a travel warning for North Korea but did not link the advisory to Newman's detainment or even confirm he is being held.

Freight train fire in Franklin County town of Orange triggers large emergency response

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A freight car carrying railroad ties caught fire, disrupting rail service in the northeastern Franklin County town of Orange.

freight train fire.jpgFireground360, an online site maintained by area first-responders, posted this image of a freight train car that caught fire just south of Route 2A in the Franklin County town of Orange on Wednesday evening.  

ORANGE — Franklin County firefighters responded to a train fire in Orange after a freight car carrying old railroad ties caught fire Wednesday evening just south of West Main Street, also known as Route 2A.

What sparked the blaze, which lit up the night sky, remains unclear at this point, but the 6:30 p.m. incident triggered a large emergency response from Orange firefighters, police, the state Department of Environmental Protection, and firefighters from multiple departments across Franklin and Worcester counties.

Crews managed to get the blaze under control and prevent any damage to the town's nearby wastewater treatment facility at 295 West Main St. The train tracks hug the northern bank of Millers River just south of the sewer plant.

"We had tons of calls come in," Orange Fire Chief Dennis Annear told the Greenfield Recorder. "By the time we arrived, the whole car was in flames," he said.

The DEP was called to determine if runoff from the train was hazardous, according to Annear.

Train service was suspended during the fire, which did not damage the engine hauling a long line of freight cars. The burning car was directly behind the engine, The Recorder reported.

Athol Fire Capt. Andy Soltysik, from neighboring Worcester County, was among the officials who provided mutual aid by answering phone calls at the Orange Fire Department. Soltysik told 22News that the tail of the train was directly behind the Orange fire station, which is about three-quarters of a mile east of the fire scene by the sewage plant.

The incident remains under investigation.


Material from CBS3 Springfield, media partner of MassLive/The Republican; abc40; Fireground360; The Greenfield Recorder; and 22News was used in this report.


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Yesterday's top stories: Man involved in apparent murder-suicide had legal issues, Rajon Rondo reacts to Celtics score, and more

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A 26-year-old Holyoke man is facing numerous weapons and drug charges after a raid on his residence by state, federal and local law enforcement yielded 42 bags of heroin and four firearms, police said.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. The most viewed item overall, however, was the photo gallery of newspapers published the day after President Kennedy's assassination, above.

1) Arlington man involved in apparent murder-suicide had legal issues [Garrett Quinn]

2) Watch: Rajon Rondo's reaction to seeing Boston Celtics box score explains everything about loss to Houston Rockets [Jay King]

3) Daniel Dejesus arrested in Holyoke after police drug raid finds heroin, unlawful firearms [Patrick Johnson]

4) Southbridge doctor charged with slapping 6-year-old patient [Associated Press]

5) Obituaries: Jeanette Lindblad worked in restaurant management and food service at Casa de Nana, other Western Massachusetts establishments

 

Springfield police track down 2 teenage burglary suspects in East Forest Park neighborhood

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Officers quickly hunted down the suspects, ages 17 and 18, and took them into custody.

SPRINGFIELD — Officers tracked down a pair of teenage burglary suspects in the city's East Forest Park neighborhood early Thursday, charging them with breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony and other offenses.

Officers were called to Derryfield Avenue, where they pursued the suspects on foot. Multiple police cruisers and a K-9 unit joined the brief hunt, which ended with both suspects being taken in custody shortly after 3 a.m.

At points, the chase led officers to Cambria, Kipling, Oregon and Wayside streets, Gillette Circle and Gillette Avenue, where the suspects were caught, according to initial police reports from the scene.

A Springfield police sergeant said 18-year-old Ricardo E. Collazo of 79 Commonwealth Ave. was charged with breaking and entering at night with intent to commit a felony; receiving stolen property over $250; malicious damage over $250; breaking and entering a building at night with intent to commit a felony; and resisting arrest.

The other suspect, a 17-year-old whose name and address were not released, faces the same charges, said the sergeant, who did not have a full report on the incident.

Collazo is expected to be arraigned today in Springfield District Court, while his alleged accomplice is expected to be arraigned in Hampden Juvenile Court.


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Massachusetts State Police: Car crash in Holyoke leads to injuries, charges for driver

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Drunken-driving charges are pending against the driver, according to Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Michael Andrews.

HOLYOKE — A driver facing possible drunken-driving charges was hospitalized after crashing into a utility pole near the corner of Appleton and Sycamore streets early Thursday morning, according to a state police official, who was not involved in the pursuit.

A Holyoke police spokeswoman said the commanding officer on duty this morning was unavailable for comment, but Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Michael Andrews confirmed that the injured driver was taken to a local hospital.

"OUI charges are pending," Andrews said.

Police spotted the vehicle driving without headlights in Northampton and pursued it to Holyoke, according to reports, which could not immediately be verified with city police.

The car stuck a utility pole but no power outages were reported, according to abc40.

It was unclear which police agency might charge the driver, whose identity was unavailable.


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Worcester police search for man who robbed The Gold Buyer's Store at gunpoint

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Worcester Police are looking for a man who entered The Gold Buyer's Store at 750 Grafton St. Wednesday afternoon, chatted with the clerk about jewelry and then pointed a handgun at the man, demanding cash.

Worcester Police are looking for a man who entered The Gold Buyer's Store at 750 Grafton St. Wednesday afternoon, chatted with the clerk about jewelry and then pointed a handgun at the man, demanding cash.

According to police, a white male described as having short brown hair, standing about 6-feet, 1-inch tall, weighing approximately 190 pounds and wearing jeans entered the store at about 3:45 p.m. and began asking the 31-year-old male clerk who was working the front desk about various jewelry in the case when he produced a handgun from the front of his waistband.

The suspect pointed the gun at the clerk and demanded cash. The clerk handed an undisclosed amount of money to the suspect. The suspect fled out the store and left in an unknown direction, according to a police press release.

Members of the Worcester Police Detective Bureau and the Crime Scene Unit arrived at the scene to process evidence and conduct interviews.

This is an active investigation, if anyone has information about this incident they can send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD + your message or send an anonymous web based message at worcesterma.gov/police. Calls can also be made to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.


New Worcester Tatnuck Magnet School library helping kids who read to succeed

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There were so many people crowded into the Worcester Public Library branch at the Tatnuck Magnet School Wednesday night that one could hardly see the stacks of 4,500 new books that lined the room.

There were so many people crowded into the Worcester Public Library branch at the Tatnuck Magnet School Wednesday night that one could hardly see the stacks of 4,500 new books that lined the room.

Students, parents, school and city officials, businessmen and library patrons stood shoulder to shoulder to celebrate the "rebirth" of the neighborhood branch library as part of the One City, One Library initiative. For years, the public library had a branch in the Tatnuck Magnet building, but budget issues forced it to close in the late 1980s.

"It was very emotional when it closed," former Tatnuck branch librarian Denise Faucher said after Wednesday's ceremony.

"Now, to see this, to see the possibilities again... it's alive and thriving," Faucher, now the human resources and development manager for the city public library system, said, adding that she's overjoyed by the opening and the community response.

Making the night that much more special, Mayor Joseph M. Petty announced that at the next school committee meeting he will ask the board to rededicate the space in memory of fallen Worcester Firefighter Lt. Thomas E. Spencer, one of the six men killed in the 1999 Worcester Cold Storage Warehouse fire. Spencer had been assigned to the Engine 9, Tatnuck Square firehouse, located near the school, before being promoted to lieutenant and reassigned.

After patiently listening to the speaking portion of the program, children scattered around the room soon after a symbolic red ribbon was cut, heading for the stacks, the computers, the coloring tables and the puzzles. A line formed at the check-out counter and librarians helped patrons find specific authors and genres.

Emmalyn Alt, 9, a fourth grader at the school, said that she couldn't wait to check out books on her own, including those from her favorite series, Geronimo Stilton.

Tatnuck sixth grade teacher Mark Tozer knelt down in between two stacks searching for books for his 6-year-old grandson Harper Tozer and thumbing through some books for his own class. Tozer, a science teacher, said the library will be a great resource for teachers and for students who need to research a project.

"I tend to think big, and this is beyond what even I thought was going to happen," he said while pulling a book off the shelf for his grandson. Wednesday night, Tozer was already thinking about new books for the library, including more graphic nonfiction novels that he could use for his science classes.

Library and school officials credited volunteers and companies that worked on the project, saying that without them, the project would not have been possible. The Worcester Public Library Foundation sought donations and in-kind services as a means to make the project affordable.

The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation, the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the city of Worcester contributed funding for the project.

Cardinal Construction, Inc. provided pro bono services and acted as the project manager for the library renovation and for the necessary changes within the school to accommodate the new space. Several other organizations provided in-kind services, including Coghlin Electrical Contractors, Inc., Knight Security, Inc., Nal’s Paint Center, Fine Painting, Sunshine Signs, Rotmans, The College of the Holy Cross, Hanover Insurance Group, and the United Way.

The Tatnuck Magnet School branch library is one of four located in city elementary schools that are part of a larger five-year pilot program meant to restore library branches back into city neighborhoods. The foundation has a goal of raising $2 million for the project, and thus far has been able to raise $1.2 million.

Man found dead in car in Framingham

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Framingham police are looking for a person who was said to be wearing a Halloween-type mask when they shot and killed a man sitting in a car outside an apartment complex.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (AP) — Framingham police are looking for a person who was said to be wearing a Halloween-type mask when they shot and killed a man sitting in a car outside an apartment complex.

Police responded to the Normandy Arms apartments just before 11 p.m. Wednesday.

There they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound.

The victim was described as a 21-year-old man but his name was not immediately released.

A witness told investigators the shooter was wearing a white "Halloween-type mask" and a black sweater.

Natick police later found a similar mask on a side street.

Human bones found in Bridgewater identified

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Authorities say the human bones found burning in a wooded area of Bridgewater earlier this month were those of a Haverhill man.

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (AP) — Authorities say the human bones found burning in a wooded area of Bridgewater earlier this month were those of a Haverhill man.

The remains of 24-year-old Dennis Ray Jackson were found Nov. 13 burning in a barrel on property owned by the state Department of Correction near Bridgewater State Hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Plymouth district attorney says the remains, described as limbs, were identified through fingerprints.

The cause of death remains under investigation.

Investigators are still trying to determine through DNA testing whether there is a link between the bones found in Bridgewater and charred human torso found in Boston's Hyde Park neighborhood the following day.

The Boston Globe reports that Jackson had a lengthy criminal record.

First Church of Monson holds Christmas door decorating contest

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Prizes will be awarded for the three doors that best capture the spirit of Christmas.

MONSON - The First Church of Monson will hold a Christmas door decorating contest for residents with the theme, "A Hometown Christmas."

All entries must be postmarked by Dec. 7, and doors must be ready for viewing by Dec. 15. The entry fee is $20. Checks can be made payable to First Church of Monson and can be sent to the chruch at 5 High St., Monson, MA, 01057.

The door to be decorated should be the front door or main door of the house (or door closest to the street). Award winning doors will be judged on interpretation of theme, unique and original design and creative use of decorations.

The contest will be a fundraiser for the First Church of Monson - 10 percent of the proceeds will go to the Monson Emergency Fuel Fund. Doors may be photographed, with the photos becoming the property of the church.

First prize is a gift box valued at over $400, second prize is a gift box valued at over $250, and third prize, a gift box over $125.

Prizes were provided by Bill's Sunoco, Acropolis Pizza, Adams, Avon, Big Y, Bilton's Mountainside Orchard, Charlene's Hair Care, Dunkin Donuts, Giclee of New England, Interskate 91, Koran's Farm, Mane Event, Maria's Pizza, Mill Valley Golf Course, Steaming Tender, Village Pizza, Monson Pizza, Oak Ridge Golf Course, Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rogers Rug Cleaning and Squier Lumber.

Winners will be revealed at an awards reception to be held at the church on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Rev. Robert Marrone said the church hopes this will be "a fun thing" for residents.

"That's our hope," Marrone said.

A flyer about the contest states: "Prizes will be awarded for the three doors that best capture the spirit of Christmas. We hope you have fun decorating, and we hope this contest will make the town of Monson a bit brighter this Christmas season."

Lunenburg school committee supports decision to forfeit football season

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Lunenburg's football team will not play its annual Thanksgiving game, after the town's school board backed the superintendent's decision to forfeit the rest of the season in the wake of a controversy over race.

Lunenburg's football team will not play its annual Thanksgiving game, after the town's school committee backed the superintendent's decision to forfeit the rest of the season in the wake of an incident involving racist graffiti.

After an emotional meeting Tuesday night, no school board member was willing to make a motion to reverse the decision, the Telegram & Gazette reported.

In a statement posted on the school district website, the school committee said it feared what would happen at the team's final game if it were played.

"We base this recommendation on our concerns for the safety and well-being of our students, players and fans in the emotionally-charged environment that has been generated by these recent acts," the statement said. "We also believe it would be highly inappropriate to play the remaining games while there is an ongoing investigation."

The northern Worcester County town has been enveloped by the issue for the past week. It started on Friday, when the home of a junior varsity football player was tagged with racist graffiti.

"Knights don't need n******", the graffiti read.

The player, 13-year-old Isaac Phillips, has a black father and a white mother. The Lunenburg football team is known as the Blue Knights.

School officials canceled that Friday's game, and police, the FBI and the district attorney's office launched an investigation.

This week, the controversy deepened, when Superintendent Loxi Jo Calmes said a recent Lunenburg junior varsity game against Worcester's South High Community School was ended early amid fights between the players. Referees said Lunenburg players used racial slurs during the game.

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