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Family of 8-year-old Boston Marathon victim seeks charity runners for 2014 race

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The family of an 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston Marathon bombing has created a charitable foundation in his memory and is recruiting a team of charity runners for this year's marathon.

BOSTON (AP) — The family of an 8-year-old boy killed in the Boston Marathon bombing has created a charitable foundation in his memory and is recruiting a team of charity runners for this year's marathon.

In a blog posting Monday, the family said the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation's mission is to invest in education, athletics and community. The family said "Team MR8" will recruit runners committed to the foundation's mission.

The boy was one of three people killed at the April 15, 2013, marathon when two bombs exploded near the finish line. Authorities say two brothers from Russia who had lived in Cambridge for about a decade planted the bombs.

The family said Martin's younger sister, Jane, who lost part of her left leg, is walking with a new prosthesis and playing basketball for her Catholic Youth Organization team.


Portion of Route 5 in West Springfield closed due to pot hole problems

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Both lanes of travel are blocked off at the tunnel under the North End Bridge rotary.

WEST SPRINGFIELD – The state Department of Transportation has closed a portion of Route 5 in West Springfield near the North End Bridge while workers make repairs to several potholes that have appeared due to recent changes in the weather, an official said.

Both lanes of travel are blocked off at the tunnel under the North End Bridge rotary. Traffic is being detoured off Route 5 to the rotary and then directed back onto Route 5 past the rotary.

Amanda Richard, Massachusetts DOT spokeswoman, said the recent weather cycle of freezing then thawing temperatures has caused several large pot holes to form at that portion of the road. Water seeps into cracks into the road and expands when it turns to ice, causing the cracks to grow wider and wider until a pot hole is formed, she said.

Also traffic further south at the tunnel under the railroad overpass is down to one lane in each direction due to road flooding, she said.

Crews are working at each scene and expect to have both sections repair and traffic flowing normally by later this evening, she said.

Richard said the DOT invites people to contact them to report large pot holes on state roads to have them address promptly.

Map showiing areas of Route 5 where repairs underway


View U.S. 5 traffic disruptions. in a larger map

PM News Links: Man killed in apparent road-rage incident, brain-dead girl's family concerned about safety, and more

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Worcester Regional Airport flights on schedule for Tuesday, despite suspended JetBlue operations in Boston, New York

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Arrivals and departures are currently on time at Worcester Regional Airport for Monday evening and Tuesday, even as JetBlue shuts down its operations at major nearby airports.

Arrivals and departures are currently on time at Worcester Regional Airport for Monday evening and Tuesday, even as JetBlue shuts down its operations at major nearby airports.

On Monday, JetBlue announced it would scale back its operations at Boston Logan, JFK, Newark and LaGuardia Monday into Tuesday to give its crew a chance to rest and catch up with delayed flights.

The airline will be completely shut down operations at those airports between 5 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Some passengers have been stuck at Logan, sleeping on cots, for two days. An extreme cold weather pattern has moved across the nation, and forecasts for Tuesday include very low temperatures and the possibility of flash freezing.

But while the airline is shut down at some of the busiest airports in the nation, Worcester's flights are scheduled to take off.

jetblue flight tracker 01-06.jpg 

"Our operational constraints at Worcester are related to low visibility at the airport," said JetBlue Airports Communications Manager Bryan Baldwin said in an email. "Even though the weather will be cold, we don't anticipate low visibility being an issue at this time."

Four Worcester flights -- three on Sunday and one Monday morning -- were canceled because of low visibility, Baldwin said.

Incoming flights from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are expected to arrive in Worcester on time Monday, according to data from FlightView.com. An outgoing flight to Fort Lauderdale on Monday and to Orlando on Tuesday morning were also still scheduled.

Since JetBlue began running running flights from Worcester in November, six have been diverted to Boston and, after Monday, 29 have been canceled. The airport's geography can pose problems for flights, as its high altitude often brings foggy conditions, The airport also lacks equipment possessed by some airports to allow pilots to land in zero visibility.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Springfield water main break on Bridge Street under repair, but road will remain closed

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The section of Bridge Street between Main Street and Columbus Avenue will remain closed pending road repairs in the aftermath of Saturday's water main break.

SPRINGFIELD — The Water and Sewer Commission on Monday was repairing a weekend water main break on Bridge Street in the downtown, and anticipated completing the work by late Tuesday afternoon.

A six-inch water line broke near Tower Square. It was discovered Saturday morning.

The section of Bridge Street from Main Street to Columbus Avenue will remain closed during pipe repairs and continuing this week and next week while the road is repaired, a spokeswoman said. On Saturday, the water pressure from the break eroded the soil under Bridge Street, causing part of the road to cave in.

Other utilities such as telephone and electric are assessing whether their lines have been affected.

On Saturday, Water and Sewer Commission crews shut of the water, stabilized the area, and tied over the water service so Tower Square would have water over the weekend.

Water main breaks may occur because of many contributing factors including: shifting soils and erosion of soils supporting the pipe, fluctuating temperatures causing metal expansions and contractions, pipe corrosion or rust, age of the pipe, evacuations that disturb the area around the pipe, and/or vibrations from heavy traffic, the spokeswoman said.

In 2013, the commission responded to 47 water main breaks, including 32 that occurred in the colder months of January, February, November and December.


Springfield School Committee elects Denise Hurst as new vice-chairwoman

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As vice-chairwoman of the School Committee, Denise Hurst appointed members to serve on eight standing subcommittees.

SPRINGFIELD – The School Committee had its annual organizational meeting on Monday, with its newly elected vice-chairwoman, Denise Hurst, saying she foresees “a phenomenal year” ahead.

“I think that the new year is really exciting, particularly because the data shows we are moving in the right direction,” Hurst said, shortly after the meeting. “We really need to do our due diligence in making sure that our future generation is equipped with the quality education that they need.”

The students must be “first and foremost” in all decisions, Hurst said.

Hurst was elected unanimously by committee members to the leadership position, and was nominated by member Peter Murphy, who served as vice-chairman in 2013.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, who as mayor automatically serves as School Committee chairman, said education is the key to solving urban challenges such as public safety and poverty.

“We are moving in the right direction,” Sarno said, agreeing with Hurst there is much more to be done.

The School Committee welcomed and congratulated the its two newest members, elected in November.

Calvin McFadden was elected to an at-large seat on the School Committee, defeating Antonette Pepe.

In addition, Rosa Perez was elected to the District 1 seat on the committee, defeating Norman Roldan.

Other members re-elected were Christopher Collins, Peter Murphy, Barbara Gresham, and Hurst.

Hurst, as vice-chairwoman, named her selections for eight subcommittees.

Collins was appointed chairman of the budget and finance committee and the buildings and maintenance committee. He also serves on the legislative and contracts committee.

Gresham was appointed chairwoman of the school safety committee and the student, parent concerns committee. She also serves on the curriculum and programs, and vocational education committees.

Hurst will serve as chairwoman of curriculum and programs, and also serves on the technology Committee.

McFadden was appointed chairman of the Legislative & Contracts Committee and also serves on Budget & Finance, and Student, Parent Concerns, and Technology.

Murphy was appointed chairman of Technology; and will serve on Budget & Finance, School Safety, and Legislative and Contracts.

Perez was appointed chairwoman of Vocational Education and will also serve on Buildings & Maintenance, School Safety, and Student, Parent Concerns.

Richard Kos talks about improvements in public safety after being sworn in as Chicopee's newest mayor

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A total of 27 Chicopee city officials were sworn into public office during inauguration ceremony at Elms College. Watch video

CHICOPEE – As he was officially sworn in as mayor after a 10-year hiatus, Richard J. Kos talked about making improvements in public safety, education and economic development.

But, Kos said, from his experience he knows he cannot predict everything that will happen in the next two years.

“All I can promise you today are two words...honesty and integrity,” he said.

Kos was the last of 27 people sworn into public office during a Monday morning inauguration ceremony at Elms College. Also taking the oath of office were new Treasurer Marie T. Laflamme, new Collector Stanley Iwanicki and assessors Laura McCarthy and Victor Anop.

One new School Committee member, Dana C. Cutter was sworn in with eight incumbents, Chester J, Szetela, David Barsalou, Sandra A. Peret, Donald J. Lamothe, Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello, Marjorie A. Wojcik, Deborah Styckiewicz and Sharon M. Nawrocki.

Of the 13 City Councilors, Gerard A. Roy, an at-large councilor; Adam D. Lamontagne; Gary R. Labrie and Shane D. Brooks are new to their seats. Also sworn in were Frank N. Laflamme, Robert J. Zygarowski, Frederick T. Krampits, James K. Tillotson, Timothy S. McLellan, William M. Zaskey, John L. Vieau, George R. Moreau and Gerry J. Roy, who represents Ward 9.

Following the inauguration the City Council met briefly and unanimously re-elected Moreau as its president and selected Vieau as vice president.

During the event Chicopee and Comprehensive high school bands performed together and choral groups from both schools performed different numbers.

Kos replaces Michael D. Bissonnette who served as mayor for the last eight years. Bissonnette and his wife, Erin Bresnahan, attended the ceremony.

Kos was sworn in by long-term friend and former law partner Judge Edward J. McDonough. City Clerk Keith Rattell read the oath of office for the other city officials.

During his speech, Kos talked about how having good schools, a safe city and a good cost of living with local services are all interconnected and vital in attracting businesses and jobs to the area. Businesses want to locate in an area with a well-educated work force.

“We must maximize opportunities we can offer to our students and our community,” he said, mentioning the possibility of creating a six-year high school program for post graduates and building a stronger connection with community colleges.

Kos promised to continue on-going projects such as the federally-mandated sewer separation and improving school buildings. He said he will do it with an eye on fiscal accountability and in consideration of what taxpayers can afford.

He also pledged better accountability within the police department, which is directly under the mayor’s control. Recently an examination by a former police lieutenant who is now a consultant showed a number of past problems with the department and described the atmosphere as a hotbed of “divided loyalties,“ mistrust and animosity.

“The activities of the Police Department going forward will be transparent and monitored,” Kos said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker raises $427,000 in December, outpacing his Democratic opponents

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On the Democratic side, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley also had a strong fundraising month.

Massachusetts Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker raised $427,546 in December, bringing his total fundraising haul for 2013 to nearly $1 million.

Baker, the party's 2010 gubernatorial nominee, has gotten strong support from GOP donors. He is facing first-time candidate Mark Fisher in the Republican primary. With Democratic donors split between five candidates, Baker far outpaced any of his Democratic opponents in December.

"As we head into the New Year, Charlie and (lieutenant governor candidate) Karyn (Polito)'s campaign for job creation, better schools and safer, stronger communities is gaining momentum and resonating with voters across the state," said Mark Fuller, Baker's campaign finance director, in a statement. "That so many support this campaign is truly humbling and every dollar contributed will help us tell voters about Charlie's proven, hands-on leadership creating jobs, lowering taxes and solving big problems."

According to Baker's campaign, Baker raised $960,000 in the last year, of which 94 percent came from within Massachusetts.

Fundraising in 2013 is important because individuals are capped at donating $500 a year to a candidate. A donor who gives in 2013 can give a second time before the 2014 elections.

Fisher, who just launched his campaign last month, raised $32,248 in December and loaned his campaign $25,000.

On the Democratic side, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, who had previously lagged behind state Treasurer Steve Grossman in fundraising, posted a strong month, raising $280,422. Grossman was close behind, with $212,455.

Grossman raised just over $1 million in 2013. And as of the end of the year, he still had $984,000 in the bank, far more money than any of the candidates. Baker had around $550,000 in the bank and Coakley around $450,000.

Former Medicare and Medicaid administrator Donald Berwick raised just under $150,000 in December, the strongest showing among the first-time state candidates.

Surgeon Joseph Avellone raised $60,470 and former homeland security official Juliette Kayyem, who had kept pace with Coakley in previous months, raised $58,724.

Berwick, Kayyem and Avellone all have between $100,000 and $200,000 in the bank.

Independent Jeffrey McCormick, a venture capitalist, raised just under $25,000 and loaned himself $50,000 in December. Independent Evan Falchuk, a health care executive, raised around $60,000 in December and loaned his campaign $100,000.



Worcester man arrested for aggressive panhandling on Chandler Street

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The court gave 14 days in jail to a man who was banging on car windows while panhandling through traffic at the intersection of Park Avenue and Chandler Street Friday.

WORCESTER — The court sentences a man to 14 days in jail for banging on car windows while panhandling.

While 51-year-old Michael P. Gorham walked through traffic at the intersection of Park Avenue and Chandler Street on Friday, he became aggressive towards drivers.

"Mr. Gorham walked into Chandler St ... he began banging on cars windows soliciting money," said Worcester police officer Patrick Benneth in court documents. "The traffic light turned green, and Mr. Gorham was still in the street, causing motorists to have to change lanes and swerve around him. This caused an especially dangerous situation due to the road being narrow from the recent snowfall."

The Worcester man "aggressively panhandles with complete disregard to the city of Worcester panhandling ordinance," said Benneth in his statement. Gorham has repeatedly been told of the ordinance and the consequences of panhandling and been arrested multiple times for those offenses, according to court records.

Gorham was in court Monday, facing charges of aggressive panhandling and a subsequent offense of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to 14 days with two days served.

Worcester's panhandling ordinance, enacted in January, restrict panhandling from within 20 feet of locations including restaurants, public restrooms and ATMs, and block them from standing in the street or traffic islands to ask drivers for money.

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently granted an injunction against part of the panhandling ordinance. The decision stated the ordinance's ban on "soliciting any person in public after dark, which shall mean the time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise" cannot be enforced.

8 out of 16 jurors selected on first day of Adam Lee Hall triple murder case trial

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After about five hours of the arduous process, 82 prospective jurors had been questioned as a group and individually.

SPRINGFIELD - Eight jurors - half the total needed - were selected Monday in the trial of Adam Lee Hall, the 36-year-old Peru resident charged with a Berkshire county triple murder.

After about five hours of the arduous process, 82 prospective jurors had been questioned as a group and individually.

Jury selection resumes Tuesday.

Among questions posed to people individually by Hampden Superior Court Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder is whether hearing evidence that the victims were dismembered - and seeing graphic photos of the victims - would prevent them from being impartial jurors.

Even though only a few people ended up saying it would prevent them from being impartial, many people hesitated a moment before answering.

Kinder told them he knows no one wants to hear such evidence and look at such pictures, but he was only asking if they could do so and still be fair.

Hall was a ranking member of the local Hells Angels when he, David Chalue, 46, of North Adams, and Caius Veiovis, 32, of Pittsfield, kidnapped David Glasser, Edward Frampton and Robert Chadwell from Glasser and Frampton’s Pittsfield home sometime in the early hours of Aug. 28, 2011, and then killed them, according to prosecutors.

Hall is being tried first.

The trials were moved to Hampden Superior Court after defense lawyers said publicity in Berkshire County would make is impossible for a fair trial.

Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and defense lawyer Alan J. Black were given 16 peremptory challenges each - meaning they could ask for someone to be excused without cause.

On Monday, Capeless used nine of his and Black used seven of his.

Jury selection and other pre-trial motions will be this week, and opening statements and testimony begin Jan. 13.

The trial is expected to take four to six weeks, and Kinder excused jurors who were full time students, or for whom the trial length would mean financial or physical hardship.

The victims’ remains were discovered buried in a shallow pit on private property in Becket.

There is a fourth co-defendant in the case, but he is not charged with murder and has not been involved in the motions to suppress and other pre-trial matters with the other three.

David Casey, 64, of Canaan, N.Y., is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact of murder, three counts of accessory after the fact of kidnapping, and three counts of accessory after the fact of intimidation of a witness.

Jurors were given a copy of a list of potential witnesses numbering about 250.

WWLP founder, television pioneer Kathryn 'Kitty' Broman dies at age 97

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Broman co-founded the station with Bill Putnam in the early 1950s.

LONGMEADOW -- Local television pioneer Kathryn 'Kitty' Broman, who co-founded NBC affiliate WWLP in the early 1950s, died Sunday at her Longmeadow home. She was 97.

The station reported her death in an article posted Monday morning.

Broman founded the station with Bill Putnam, whom she later married. The station was awarded its license from the FCC in 1952, and the first program aired in 1953.

“TV today is so sophisticated,” Broman said in a 2012 interview with The Republican. “Back when we were doing it, it was all live.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.


This is a developing story. An updated story will be posted after additional reporting.

Police ask for assistance locating missing Connecticut teen Corey Feitel

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Wolcott police say Cory Feitel, 15, has been missing since Dec. 21 when he apparently ran away from a group home in that town.

WOLCOTT, Conn. — Police in Connecticut are asking the public for help finding a missing teen who hasn't been seen or heard from since before Christmas.

Wolcott police say Cory Feitel, 15, has been missing since Dec. 21 when he apparently ran away from a group home in that town. Authorities say the teen may be traveling to Florida to connect with an uncle who lives there.

Feitel is described as a white male standing 5-feet, 10-inches tall, weighing approximately 120 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

Police have issues a silver alert and reportedly been in contact with Feitel's family, but have had no luck locating the boy. Connecticut's silver alert system is commonly used to spread the word about runaways and endangered runaways, as well as missing persons with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Anyone with information about Feitel's whereabouts is asked to call the Wolcott Police Department at 203-879-1414.


Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Juliette Kayyem says focus on education key to preparing citizens for success in workforce

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Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Juliette Kayyem says that if she's elected governor in November, her administration will enact education reforms aimed at better preparing the citizens of the commonwealth for the jobs of tomorrow by ensuring they have the skills to succeed.

In Massachusetts, there are nearly 250,000 people unemployed, yet there are a reported 100,000 jobs that employers are struggling to fill because of a so-called skills gap.

Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Juliette Kayyem says that if she's elected governor in November, her administration will enact education reforms aimed at better preparing the citizens of the commonwealth for the jobs of tomorrow by ensuring they have the skills to succeed.

"The most important task of the next governor is preparing Massachusetts for the challenges and opportunities of the future," Kayyem said in a press release. "This education system must not only prepare children for college, but needs to push further towards educating them for a career."

Among Kayyem's priorities for reforming the Massachusetts education system are increasing the availability and quality of pre-kindergarten and redesigning high school curricula to better address the 21st century. The former national security advisor also says by instituting skill standards that are tested for subjects like math or science, the state can ensure it is best preparing high school students for the workforce.

"We have students that are being left behind. Whether it is not having access to pre-kindergarten, higher education, or professional development, they are not being given the opportunities and ability to achieve," Kayyem said. "We must change the way we educate. No longer can children only be provided education starting in kindergarten and ending in high school, but to do this we will need to completely change our approach to education."

Kayyem says that investing in early education is critical, citing several studies supporting such an assertion. She said that studies in New Jersey and Georgia concluded that an intensive pre-school program can help close the achievement gap between between students of different socioeconomic conditions.

Furthermore, the candidate said the demand for such programs in Massachusetts is proof that a renewed focus on pre-kindergarten is worthwhile.

"As of September 2013, 43,000 children were on waitlists for subsidized state early education programs," Kayyem wrote in her policy paper. "To eliminate this waitlist and ensure every child has access to a high-quality prekindergarten seat we must increase funding for subsidized early education programs and coordinate center-based and family-based early child development programs to expand the number of quality pre-kindergarten seats available."

Kayyem's focus isn't solely on early education, however. She is also pitching that her administration would work closely with colleges and universities to ensure that skills relevant to modern employers are being taught and that options for longer length of certification programs are increased.

"Students need the ability to balance entering the workforce with continuing their education," Kayyem wrote in the policy paper. "To provide this, programs must be set up that vary in length, from traditional four year to twelve month."

Kayyem's full plan can be read here.

Other Democratic candidates running include Don Berwick, a former Medicare administrator, state Attorney General Martha Coakley, state Treasurer Steven Grossman and Joe Avellone III, a surgeon and former Wellesley selectman.

Charlie Baker, who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2010, is facing a challenge for the Republican Party's nomination from Tea Party member Mark Fisher of Shrewsbury. Baker also is running as a team with lieutenant governor candidate Karyn Polito, a former state representative who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2010.

Health care executive Evan Falchuk is running under his newly created United Independent Party and Jeffrey McCormick, a founder of the Boston venture capital firm Saturn Partners, entered the race as an independent in late October. The Springfield-based anti-gay minister Scott Lively, who's platform includes protecting the state's honeybees and the intention to "unapologetically articulate Biblical values without fear or compromise," also recently announced his candidacy.

The primary election in the gubernatorial race will take place on Sept. 16, 2014 with the general election slated for Nov. 4.


Cara Rintala retrial: Live coverage of Day 1 of jury selection

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The retrial of Cara Rintala, accused in the murder of her wife, Annamarie Cochrane Rintala, is underway in Hampshire Superior Court. We'll have live updates throughout the day.

NORTHAMPTON -- The retrial of Cara Rintala, accused in the murder of her wife, Annamarie Cochrane Rintala, is underway in Hampshire Superior Court. Below, we'll have live updates throughout the day.


5:40 p.m.: The final jury pool member is dismissed. Nine were selected. Court resumes tomorrow.

5:15 p.m.: 10 jury pool members left.
Judge Rup has decided to go past 5 p.m. and complete interviews with today's jury pool, rather than call the last few back Wednesday.

The courthouse has closed; the third-floor jury selection room is very quiet - just the subdued conversation at the judges bench, followed by shoes echoing off the hardwood floor as more potential jurors are excused.

4:00 p.m.:Progress.

From more than 20 interviews, 2 more potential jurors have been selected, bringing the total to 6 with less than a half hour remaining.

The remaining 40 or so jury pool members are spread out on five rows of court benches, reading, knitting, yawning, stretching, squirming, chewing gum - whatever it takes to keep alert.

The sun has vanished from the windows; just a tangle of bare trees visible outside on Gothic Street.

2:30 p.m.: Jury selection has resumed and candidates are being dismissed almost as quickky as they approach the bench Five have been dismissed in the past few minutes since Rup returned to the bench after an hour recess.

The most optimistic date for opening arguments is Friday.

A second candidate just emerged from the sidebar, with a court officer referring to her as juror No. 2; like juror No. 1, she could be dismissed later if either the defense or the prosecution challenges her,

Late afternoon sunlight is streaming through the windows, giving the old courtroom on the third floor a pleasant, non-judicial glow.

Juror No. 3 has just been selected.


12:45 p.m.: The first six jury pool members were dismissed after interviews with Rup and lawyers for both sides. They were all members of the group indicating they had conflicts serving during a 4-5 week trial.

The interviews are conducted at the judge's bench, with most conversations inaudible to the rest of the courtroom.

A seventh potential juror was not dismissed, meaning he holds the title - for now, at least - of juror Number 1.

Within minutes, three more jury pool members are dismissed,


12:30 p..m.: Court is back in session, and Rup is outlining questions she will pose to jury pool members during individual interviews at the judge's bench.
Among them: does the fact that Rintala and the victim were lesbians and married to each other bother prospective jurors enough to impair their ability to be objective and fair?



11:45 a.m.: Rup poses a series of questions to jurors, including whether they have formed oppinions on the case, whether they would be too disturbed by graphic physical evidence to render an impartial verdict, and whether they object to the principal that defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

Only a few jurors raise hands in response to those questions.

Rup gives the jury pool a 15-minute break, reminding them to avoid talking to each other about the case.


11:00 a.m.: Rup says the trial should take 4-5 weeks, running 9 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In response to a question from the judge, about 30 of approximately 100 potential jurors in the courtroom raised hands to show they would have a conflict serving for a 5-week trial; an even larger number raise hands after the judge asks if anyone has learned about the case from local media reports

About 35 jurors also indicate they know the outcome of the last trial.

10:40 a.m.: Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup is speaking to the first group of prospective jurors, reminding them of their responsibility to serve on juries; the vast majority of cases in Hampshire County are decided by juries,the judge said.

Noting that some people concoct excuses to dodge jury service, Rup advised against it, adding: "Let me assure you, we judges have heard it all."

Defendant Cara Rintala is sittiing at the defense table, with lawyers Luke Ryan and David Hoose.

Assistant District Attorney, the lead prosecutor, said earlier that 300 juror candidates will be called over the next 3 days, reflecting the difficulty in finding jurors in the case.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh makes several appointments during second day in office

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Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh filled several key positions in his new administration on Tuesday at a press conference at City Hall.

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh filled several key positions in his new administration on Tuesday at a press conference at City Hall.

Walsh appointed two key campaign advisors: Dorchester's Joyce Linehan and Norwell's Joe Rull to chief of policy and chief of operations, respectively.

Linehan, a longtime player in the Boston arts community, is known by her friends and liberal political circles as "the decider." Senator Elizabeth Warren effectively launched her 2012 campaign in Linehan's living room.

"It was too good an opportunity to pass up," said Linehan, answering questions about how she was originally not interested in a position at city hall.

Linehan's position will revolve around the implementation of the 42 policy papers she primarily authored during the course of Walsh's mayoral campaign. She currently runs Ashmont Media, a public relations company.

Rull, a former director of labor in the Deval Patrick administration, is moving from Norwell to Boston to join Walsh's city hall team. Rull worked in former Mayor Thomas M. Menino's office as a special assistant for eight years in the 2000s.

"He will help me work across the lines as we look to reorganize and reshuffle some of these different agencies here in the city of Boston," said Walsh.

Walsh appointed current Assistant Director of Neighborhod Services Keith Williams to the position of interim director of the Office of Small & Local Business Enterprise.

Walsh appointed Alejandra St. Guillen, the leader of the Latino advocacy group Oiste, as Interim Director of the Mayor's Office of New Bostonians. Guillen has deep ties to Boston's Latino community from her time as the head of Oiste.

Current Chelsea State Representative Eugene L. O'Flaherty is leaving his post as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee to join Walsh's administration as the corporation counsel, or chief legal counsel. O'Flaherty's district includes portion of Charlestown and is long time friend of Walsh's. He is planning on moving to Boston in the near future.

"It was a very difficult decision for me (to step down) but what has made it easier on me is I know I am going to work with a person I know respect, trust and will every day be doing the right thing for the people of this city," said O'Flaherty.

Trinh Nguyen is leaving her position as chief of staff in the Boston Housing Authority and moving to interim director of the Office of Jobs and Community Service in the Walsh administration.

Walsh said that he is looking to appoint an interim director to the Boston Redevelopment Authority some time in the near future. Walsh needs to make permanent appointments to open positions of school superintendent, police commissioner and fire commissioner.

"The people behind me are going to bring a lot of new energy to the departments that they have, a lot of new energy to the areas that are important," said Walsh.

The new mayor is crafting a new administration in his own image while relying on some holdovers from the past administration. Walsh said he has not had a chance to read the letter Menino left him as he's having a hard time deciphering Menino's handwriting.

"I opened it and I tried to read it," Walsh said. "The mayor's handwriting is like mine."


PM News Links: Former Miss Venezuela shot dead by bandits, inmate accused of hiring colleague to kill girlfriend, and more

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A third police officer was put on paid administrative leave after a four-year-old video showing an officer slamming a suspect against the wall at the police station was posted on YouTube.

  • Former Miss Venezuela, Monica Spear Mootz, husband shot dead by armed bandits in front of daughter, 5 [New York Daily News]

  • Police charge New Hampshire man with trying to hire fellow inmate to kill girlfriend [Union Leader]

  • Three New Hampshire police officers put on administrative leave after video of them slamming suspect against wall shows up on YouTube [Seacoast Online.com] Video below.

  • Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate, Attorney General Martha Coakley, says state Department of Children and Families needs inside team to investigate child abuse [Boston Herald]

  • Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates slams President Obama's Afghanistan policy in new memoir [Washington Post]

  • 83-year-old driver causes explosion, injury after hitting gas pump in Walpole [Walpole Times] Video below.

  • Jet Blue resumes service at Logan International Airport after 17-hour shutdown [Boston Globe]

  • Continuing circuit problem at Chicopee branch of Registry of Motor Vehilces forces temporary closure [WGGB-TV, ABC40, Springfield]

  • Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney says upcoming Olympic games likely to be safe, although Russia should not have been chosen to host them [Moscow Times]



  • Do you have news or a news tip to submit to MassLive.com for consideration? Send an email to online@repub.com.



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    New Springfield City Council President Michael Fenton announces committee appointments, while eliminating others

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    Council President Michael Fenton dissolved the Casino Site Committee, created by former Council President James J. Ferrera in 2012, saying that any remaining issues can be handled by standing committees.

    SPRINGFIELD – New City Council President Michael A. Fenton announced his appointments to 19 committees on Tuesday, including three new special committees that will look for creative ways to bring new revenues to the city, retain and attract young professionals and enhance workforce development.

    During a press conference at City Hall, Fenton also announced the elimination of three special committees that were created or existed under former council President James J. Ferrera III, saying their tasks had either been completed or could be handled by standing committees.

    The 15-member Casino Site Committee, a group of citizens and councilors assigned by Ferrera in 2012 to evaluate casino proposals and to gather public input, was among the committees terminated by Fenton. A casino proposed by MGM Resorts International was approved by voters in July and is seeking approval from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, leaving issues such as zoning and permits that can be handled by other council committees, Fenton said.

    Fenton also eliminated the Special Committee on Residency, that was evaluating improvements to the city’s residency ordinance, and the City Council/School Committee subcommittee, saying those duties could be handled by other standing committees.

    Some of the key chairman appointments by Fenton were Councilor Timothy J. Rooke as the new chairman of the Finance Committee, and Thomas Ashe, returning as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, previously named the Public Health and Safety Committee.

    In addition, Councilor Kenneth Shea was named new chairman of the Economic Development Committee, previously named the Planning and Economic Development Committee.

    The three new special committees: New Revenue; Young Professionals; and Workforce Development; and the continuation of the Green Committee to promote sound environmental policies will each consist of five to seven members including councilors and residents, Fenton said.

    The special committees are “an attempt to make Springfield government more accessible to the people and to tap the knowledge of taxpayers,” Fenton said. The committees will seek solutions to the issues and bring recommendations to the full council, he said.

    Councilor Justin Hurst will chair the Young Professional committee and Councilor Timothy Allen will chair the New Revenue and Workforce Development committees

    Fenton invited residents to submit their resumes to be considered for the committees to the City Council office at City Hall. by e-mail at: skacoyannakis@springfieldcityhall.com, or kmickiewicz@springfieldcityhall.com. The office can also be called at 787-6170, or by mail at City Hall, Room 200, 36 Court St., Springfield, MA 01103.

    The deadline for submitting an application for the unpaid posts is Jan. 17, and Fenton plans to announce his appointments the following week.

    The following are Fenton’s committee assignments with the chairman listed first:
    Finance — Timothy Rooke, Kenneth Shea, Clodovaldo Concepcion
    Economic Development — Shea, Bud Williams, E. Henry Twiggs
    Public Safety — Thomas Ashe, Justin Hurst, Timothy C. Allen
    General Government — Zaida Luna, Concepcion, Hurst
    Maintenance and Development — Kateri B. Walsh, Allen, Orlando Ramos
    Health and Human Services — Williams, Luna, Walsh
    Race and Civil Rights — Twiggs, Luna, Hurst
    State and Federal Relations — Michael Fenton, Melvin Edwards, Williams
    Elder Affairs — Concepcion, Twiggs, Luna
    Audit — Edwards, Rooke, Walsh
    Special Permits — Ramos, Hurst, Allen
    Responsible Employer Ordinance — Edwards, Shea
    Capital Improvement — Walsh
    School Building — Ramos
    Animal Control — Fenton
    Green — Fenton
    New Revenue — Allen
    Young Professional — Hurst
    Workforce Development — Allen

    Fenton said he named himself to chair the State and Federal Relations Committee, saying he wants the council to play a more active role in lobbying legislators on issues such as reconstruction of Interstate 91.

    Some of the committees listed with just one or two councilors also consist of mayoral appointments such as department heads. 

    Freezing pipes and sprinkler heads causing damage at UMass, area homes and businesses

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    Arctic chill keeping fire departments busy with calls for broken pipes.

    AMHERST — The extended cold snap can cause frostbite on exposed skin, but it can also wreak havoc with pipes exposed to the artic cold.

    Community fire departments have been busy responding to broken pipes in people’s homes and businesses over the last few days, and while Tuesday was frigid again, the next rush of broken pipes and calls will come when pipes again thaw, said Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson.

    He said his department Saturday responded to 18 frozen pipe calls.

    In some cases, people had gone away and turned their heat too low, something people should not do, he said. They’ll spend more in cleanup and water damage repairs than they would in heating the home while they are gone.

    Sprinkler heads freezing at the University of Massachusetts, along with a hot water line break, caused flooding on campus over the weekend. The most significant flooding occurred in Holdsworth and Herter halls. But other problems were reported in Lederle Graduate Research Center, Life Science Laboratories, Recreation Center, Marcus Hall and the Mullins Center.

    The issues were in places that weren’t as well heated, such as hallways, said UMass spokesman Daniel Fitzgibbons. Sprinkler heads are prone to freezing, he said.

    “You don’t anticipate where it can happen,” Fitzgibbons said. On Tuesday, there was a water main break from the cold outside the Lincoln apartments that affected one of the buildings there, he said. He expected water to be restored later in the day.

    He said he wasn’t sure what the costs of the cleanup work were.

    “The custodial staff were pretty busy cleaning up the water. The plumbers also deserve a lot of credit for working 12 to 14 hour days," Dan McCarthy, assistant director for building maintenance at the university's physical plant, said in a press release.

    Northampton saw more than a dozen calls for broken pipes.

    Northampton Deputy Fire Chief Timothy McQueston said that people also forget to open an access panel to expose pipes to warm air or in some cases the house is empty.

    Said Nelson: “Take a look at where your pipes are, open up some space so some warm air can circulate through.” If pipes are frozen, shut off the water supply and call a plumber right away, he said. And he cautioned not to defrost the pipe with a torch.

    McQueston said people need to have their emergency contact information handy. They need numbers for their heating contractor, plumber and insurance company to get the water cleaned up right away so it doesn’t create problems with mold later on.

    Holyoke Fire Capt. Anthony Cerruti said frozen pipes and sprinkler systems have kept firefighters busy over the last few days. Problem areas included the Holyoke Mall, which experienced sprinkler system problems in the area of the Hobby Lobby on Saturday night, and at the Burlington Coat Factory the following night.

    In all, the department has responded to some 17 or 18 calls since the temperatures plummeted last week. "Quite a few businesses in the city are having sprinkler issues," he said.

    Warming temperatures later in the week will probably bring another flood of calls as currently frozen sprinkler systems and pipes thaw out, Cerruti said.

    Jason Duda, of Boulanger Plumbing in Easthampton, suggested that people open cabinet doors under the kitchen or bathroom sinks to let in ambient heat. If the air circulates, the pipes are less likely to freeze.

    “If it gets bitterly cold let faucets drip ... (so water) doesn’t have the chance to freeze,” Duda said.

    He said if people know they have a problem with pipes, they can have a plumber wrap pipes in a heat tape.

    Despite the chill, he said his business hasn't seen more problems than usual. But he too said things get worse with a thaw.

    Shawn Peabody, owner of the Greater Springfield-based Peabody’s Plumbing and Heating, said he has been doing his best to keep abreast of a flood of calls regarding frozen pipes and faulty furnaces.

    "We have two trucks going and we go until we have to stop,” he said. “We feel bad for people without heat and hot water.”

    Peabody, speaking about 2 p.m. on Tuesday, said the company has fielded three calls for lack of heat and a call for a burst pipe since lunchtime.

    “When it gets to be this cold where it’s negative for a few days, the heating systems can’t keep up” Peabody said.


    Adam Lee Hall 'Hells Angels' murder trial expected to feature pictures of body parts, contain witness list of 200

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    In two days of jury selection 150 people have been questioned by Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder and 14 people have been selected out of the 16 needed for trial.

    SPRINGFIELD - The trial of Adam Lee Hall will be up to six weeks long, involve testimony about the Hells Angels and pictures of dismembered body parts, and has a witness list which contains more than 200 names.

    Those are some of the reasons jury selection has been slow going in the case against Hall, the 36-year-old Peru resident charged with a Berkshire County triple murder.

    In two days of jury selection 150 people have been questioned by Judge C. Jeffrey Kinder and 14 people have been selected out of the 16 needed for trial.

    One woman selected Monday was excused Tuesday, and one woman selected Tuesday morning may be excused later in the week. Both said after being selected they learned information which could keep them from being impartial.

    Jury selection continues Thursday, since Kinder is unavailable Wednesday due to other commitments.

    Hall was a ranking member of the local Hells Angels when he, David Chalue, 46, of North Adams, and Caius Veiovis, 32, of Pittsfield, kidnapped David Glasser, Edward Frampton and Robert Chadwell from Glasser and Frampton's Pittsfield home sometime in the early hours of Aug. 28, 2011, and then killed them, according to prosecutors.

    Hall is being tried first.

    The trials were moved to Hampden Superior Court after defense lawyers said publicity in Berkshire County would make is impossible for a fair trial.

    Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and defense lawyer Alan J. Black were given 17 peremptory challenges each - meaning they could ask for someone to be excused without cause.

    By the end of the court day Tuesday, Black used all of his and Capeless had two remaining.

    Jury selection and other pre-trial motions will be this week, and opening statements and testimony begin Jan. 13.

    The trial is expected to take four to six weeks, and Kinder excused jurors who were full-time students, or for whom the trial length would mean financial or physical hardship.

    The victims' remains were discovered buried in a shallow pit on private property in Becket.

    There is a fourth co-defendant in the case, but he is not charged with murder and has not been involved in the motions to suppress and other pre-trial matters with the other three.

    David Casey, 64, of Canaan, N.Y., is charged with three counts of accessory after the fact of murder, three counts of accessory after the fact of kidnapping, and three counts of accessory after the fact of intimidation of a witness.

    There were many varied reasons people were excused by Kinder Tuesday, including some people saying they were uncomfortable hearing there would be evidence Hall is associated with the Hells Angels.

    Some people knew witnesses who would testify or police officers and said they would be biased.

    One man said his religion, involving in part Satanism, would not make him biased. Capeless used a peremptory challenge but said it was not mainly because of the religion but because of the way the man answered all the judge's questions.

    Two men said they knew Hall and would be biased, one saying he would be biased against Hall and the other not specifying his bias.

    Pixies to play surprise gig on Monday at Calvin Theatre in Northampton

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    The Boston-formed band will kick off their 2014 world tour on Jan. 15 in Toronto.

    The Pixies.jpgFrom left, Joey Santiago, Frank Black and Dave Lovering of Pixies 

    Pixies – Joey Santiago, Frank Black and Dave Lovering – will play a surprise pre-tour gig at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton on Monday night.

    Tickets, priced at $30, go on sale Wednesday morning at 10 a.m at the Northampton Box Office, by calling (413) 586-8686, or online at iheg.com However, fans can pre-order tickets now on the band's website.

    "It's a genuine treat; an embarrassment of riches to have the Pixies launch their tour at The Calvin. Both Black Francis and Joey Santiago went to UMass (note song of same name) in the '80s, so the Valley has proved fertile soil for them previously. A Northampton audience is ideal for a surprise show like this one and it's a great way to start the new year," said Jim Neill, marketing director for the Iron Horse Entertainment Group.

    Pixies will officially kick off their 2014 world tour on Jan. 15 in Toronto. The tour includes stops at Boston's Orpheum Theatre on Jan. 18 and the Shubert Theater in New Haven on Jan. 22. It wraps up on June 25 in Zagreb, Croatia.

    The Boston-formed Pixies have been hailed as the most influential pioneering band of the late 1980s alt.rock movement. Their five studio releases and initial six years together paved the way for groups like Nirvana, Radiohead and Pearl Jam.

    On Sept. 3, Pixies released "EP-1," the band's first collection of new music in more than 20 years. "EP-1" was available exclusively on the band’s website as a DDL and as a limited edition (5000) 10-inch vinyl disc. In the first day alone, the vinyl completely sold out, and the video had received more than a quarter-million YouTube views. The band released a second offering,"EP-2," on Monday.

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