Police responded to a Carew Street address, where perhaps as many as 17 pot plants were discovered Thursday night, but officials were unable to immediately provide details.

Conor Berry | cberry@repub.com 

Multiple plants were found at a Carew Street address between Arthur and Windemere streets about 8 p.m., according to police reports. A police SUV was seen leaving the home about a half-hour later.

Springfield Police Sgt. Christopher Hitas was aware of the incident but had no additional information, he said.

Corporation cites inability to make payroll beyond the end of the month, but need for doctors to provide patient care.

SPRINGFIELD — Hampden County Physician Associates has filed an emergency motion, dated Oct. 28, in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, asking to close and liquidate its business under Chapter 7 of federal bankruptcy law. The filing could leave some 50,000 patients without access to their health care provider.

However, in the same motion, the corporation, referred to as the "Debtor," is asking for an "emergency consolidation of hearings" meeting, either Oct. 31 or Nov. 3, with 20 of its largest creditors, on related motions, that would allow two hospitals to "take over in a complementary way, substantially all of the Debtor's remaining business operation." The hospitals are unnamed, but the Sisters of Providence Health System has said it is interested in acquiring part of the practice, some five of 14 locations, with about a dozen physicians. Noble Hospital, in Westfield, also had said it would hire physicians and staff.

In a bankruptcy court order to show cause, entered Oct. 22, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Henry Boroff ordered the corporation, one of the largest and oldest medical specialty groups in the area, to "show cause on an expedited basis," before a Nov. 3 court sitting, "why this case should not be converted to Chapter 7 on account of ongoing losses and the absence of reasonable likelihood of rehabilitation." In the show cause order, Boroff allowed the corporation the use of cash collateral through Nov. 3.

The corporation, which is several million dollars in debt, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy before Boroff, on Oct. 2, which would have protected it from creditors, and allowed its health care providers to remain in business, as the corporation tried to reorganize itself on a more profitable basis.

However, the Chapter 7 motion filed Oct. 28 states the practice does not expect to be able to meet payroll expenses beyond the end of October. It cites lower than anticipated revenues for October, the departure of five doctors to form their own allergy practice, and "patients that can only pay for their services through the MassHealth / Medicaid programs."

"For these reasons," the motion reads, "the Debtor believes that it has no alternative other than to cease business operations upon the close of business on October 31, 2014. Further, at the hearing on the Order to Show Cause, the Debtor intends to request the conversion of its bankruptcy case to a case under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code."

According to the motion, the corporation employs some 68 health care providers, 270 employees and serves some 50,000 patients. If U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Henry Boroff finds cause for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, those patients could find themselves without access to their doctors, and those employees out of jobs. The practice's roughly two dozen doctors cannot operate from premises they don't own.

"Although the individual physicians employed by the Debtor understand their responsibilities to their patients," the motion reads, "the effect of the closing of business operations and the usual effects of the conversion to Chapter 7 are likely to interfere with patient care."

The motion cites the following reasons for how a Chapter 7 bankruptcy would interfere with patient care and why the request for the emergency meeting:

"The securing of the premises by a Chapter 7 Trustee or by Landlords having leases that terminated prepetition would result in the inability of doctors to obtain access to physical and electronic records upon which patient data is stored.

"The securing of the premises, or the inability to pay telephone operators, answering services, telephone bills or cell phone bills would radically curtail the ability of doctors to promptly and effectively communicate with their patients.

"The closing of the business is likely to result in doctors losing access to critical laboratory and diagnostic reports that are commonly delivered by mail, telefax, electronically and, sometimes, in hand. Disruption in the communication of such reports could have life threatening implications for the Debtor's patients.

"The Debtor has been informed by its primary medical malpractice insurance carrier that insurance coverage will terminate upon the closing of business operations. Upon information and belief, the carrier has also informed the individual physicians employed by the Debtor that their medical malpractice insurance will continue until December 15, 2014, unless terminated sooner.

The motion goes on to say: "The consolidation of the hearings will also provide
the Court with an opportunity to determine whether the approval of these Motions will benefit the Estate and, at the same time, avert the potential harm that could come to approximately 50,000 patients that may suffer from the closing of the Debtor's
business."

Hampden County Physician Associates Motion for Emergency Hearing Oct. 28, 2014 by masslive

Richard Hogans Jr., the 15-year-old boy missing since Monday, was found safe Wednesday evening in New Haven, Connecticut, Amherst Police Sgt. Gabriel Ting 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 gallery of photos of the Springfield Police Academy graduation, above.

1) Slain mobster Adolfo Bruno's son Victor pitted against former friend in beef over money [Stephanie Barry]

2) Commentary: East Longmeadow's Cory Garwacki was given 10,143 days, and made each one count [Ron Chimelis]

3) Amherst police: Missing teenager Richard Hogans Jr. found safe in Connecticut [Conor Berry]

4) West Springfield detectives raid High Street home, arrest 30-year-old man, seize heroin and cash [George Graham]

5) Deerfield police: Woman charged with drunken driving after she crashes into North Main Street eatery where people were eating breakfast; 2 injured [George Graham]

Welterweight Danny O'Connor returned to the ring after over a year off on Thursday with a successful fourth round TKO against Andrew Farmer.

PLYMOUTH -- Welterweight Danny O'Connor returned to the ring after more than a year off on Thursday with a successful fourth-round TKO against Andrew Farmer.

A very aggressive but strategic O'Connor (24-2, 7 KO) knocked Farmer (18-3, 7 KO) down in the fourth round with a swift body shot, prompting Jack Morrell to stop the fight at the 2:33 mark. O'Connor cut Farmer's face open with a series of jabs midway through the fourth round.

The Framingham-based brawler tamed the wild Virginia fighter quickly with a series of methodical body blows in the first round. O'Connor dropped Farmer against the ropes halfway through the second round with a flurry of hooks to the head.

From there, the red-faced Farmer appeared dazed briefly before strategically defending himself after taking a brutal left to the body from O'Connor in the closing seconds.

The third round between the two was the only round that was somewhat close, though O'Connor appeared to briefly take his foot off the gas while Farmer managed to land key blows.

Morrell did not intervene when the two appeared to accidentally butt heads near the end of the fight.

This was O'Connor's first fight after a year-long stint out of the ring, which we called a retirement.

On Nov. 9, Todd Anderson - Skyler Anderson-Coughlin's father - with family members, friends and supporters are holding a Justice Vigil at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall of Justice in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD — It's a year since 17-year-old Skyler Anderson-Coughlin's life ended in a chain of events which started when a couch fell off a pickup truck on Interstate 91.

On Nov. 9, Todd Anderson - Skyler's father - with family members, friends and supporters are holding a Justice Vigil at 5:30 p.m. at the Hall of Justice in Springfield.

"We will have one minute of silence at 5:51 p.m., to coincide with the second Sunday of November one year ago," Anderson said.

"Skyler deserves better than this. We cannot bring Skyler back, but we can ensure that justice prevails," Anderson said.

"Skyler crawled out of the front window on fire through jagged glass and died on the highway, with no one helping him," Anderson said.

Anderson-Coughlin, a student at the The MacDuffie School in Granby, was driving a Jeep. The scene was chaotic as the men from the pickup truck ran out in the highway to get the furniture, and a car spun out in front of Anderson-Coughlin.

Anderson-Coughlin's Jeep was rear ended by a tractor trailer truck. The Jeep caught fire.

In July the two city men who ran onto Interstate 91 at about 6 p.m. Nov. 10 to get a couch and cushions that fell from their pickup truck denied a manslaughter charge in Hampden Superior Court.

Joel Nieves Cruz, 32, of 76 Oswego St.; and Rafael Perez Jr., 43, of 32 Acushnet Ave., are charged in the death of Anderson-Coughlin, of Springfield. Both are free on their own recognizance. The charge cites wanton and reckless conduct.

Cruz was driving the pickup truck and is also charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury or death accident. Perez owned the truck and was a passenger.

The crash happened in Longmeadow in the northbound lanes.

Anderson said he wants further investigation to determine if anyone else contributed to his son's death through actions or negligence. His lawyer has sent requests to various agencies asking for information under the Freedom of Information Act.

Assistant District Attorney James M. Forsyth said the investigation of the crash included investigating the driver of the tractor trailer truck, whose name has not been released. He said the tractor trailer driver won't be charged unless he gets news evidence implicating the driver.

At then end of 2013 the McDuffie School newspaper created a special issue about Anderson-Coughlin.

Anderson-Coughlin is the son of Seana Coughlin, of Springfield, formerly of Bourne, and has a sister Cassandra Richardson-Coughlin.

Masslive.com and The Republican asked Anderson, of Guilford, Connecticut, to describe his young son.

Anderson said his son was born in Northampton, went to preschool in Guilford and Amherst, and kindergarten through fifth grade at Balliet Elementary School in Springfield.

He then went to The MacDuffie School beginning in sixth grade.

"Skyler always excelled in school academically, as well as socially," Anderson said. "Skyler was a rising star in Springfield. First and foremost, Skyler loved his family, his friends, his school and has always wanted to be healthy, do well in life and achieve great things."

Anderson said his son had many accomplishments, interests and goals, beginning at age of 6 when he won accelerated reading awards; and 2008 and 2010 when he won the Kids of Character Award and then was asked to speak twice to a group of 2,000 on respect and integrity.

At age 12 he became a certified scuba diver.

Anderson-Coughlin was on many sports teams at The MacDuffie School, including Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, crew, cross country and baseball, with plans to play basketball last winter, his father said. He played piano, drums, harmonica and saxophone and had plans to learn electric guitar.

"Skyler was so full of life with so many interests through out his life and so many great plans for adulthood, including being a great husband and father," Anderson said.

He said Anderson-Coughlin loved technology and computers, which were passions he wanted to study and develop into a lifelong career.

Anderson said his son was an avid reader, photographer, traveler, and swimmer. He was a skilled juggler, unicyclist, skate boarder, long boarder, mountain boarder, mountain biker and rock climber.

"Skyler had his own website for technology product reviews and other websites, as well as over 100 YouTube videos, hundreds of creative photos on Instagram, and a Twitter account with thousands of followers," his father said. "Skyler was an inventor with several invention proposals posted on Quirky."

"Skyler’s personality was regarded by all who met him as something special. He stood out from a very young age to teachers as having critical thinking skills beyond his years, yet an ability to speak to people of all ages and walks of life in a way that was respectful," Anderson said.

"He had a way of making people feel special and valued," Anderson said. "There was never a dull moment around Skyler."

Anderson-Coughlin was to graduate in the Class of 2015 and his goal was to attend Stanford University and work for Apple Computers.

In May nearly 100 people gathered at The MacDuffie School for a memorial tree planting ceremony for Anderson-Coughlin.

A bench with his name on it was placed on the front lawn

See a viral video of a baby elephant blowing bubbles.

Each week The Republican and MassLive showcase dogs and cats available for adoption at shelters at rescue organizations in Western Massachusetts.

With the participation of the shelters listed below, many animals should be able to find a permanent home.

In addition, we'll include on occasion pet news and animal videos in this weekly feature.

The following is a news update:

Dakin Humane Society targets $100,000 in donations

SPRINGFIELD — The Dakin Humane Society hopes to raise $100,000, as part of a Fall Matching Challenge Campaign, in which an anonymous donor is matching contributions, dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $100,000, through Nov. 15.

Contributions can be made by mail, Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101, or online at its revamped website www.dakinhumane.org.

Other Dakin fund raisers include the Toasted Owl Tavern in Northampton donating proceeds to Dakin from its upcoming Fifth Annual Gives a Hoot Fun Run on Oct. 26 at the Toasted Owl. Organizers of the 5k run/2k walk encourage runners and walkers to bring their leashed dogs to join in, and to wear Halloween costumes (prizes for best human and dog costumes will be awarded). Registration is $25 in advance, $30 day of the run. More information is on the Dakin site.

LOCAL SHELTERS:

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society

Address: 163 Montague Road, Leverett

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:30 -5:30 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 548-9898

Website: www.dpvhs.org

Address: 171 Union St., Springfield

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 12:30-5:30 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 781-4000

Website: www.dpvhs.org

Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

Address: 627 Cottage St., Springfield

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; Thursday, noon-7 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 781-1484

Website: tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com

Westfield Homeless Cat Project

Address: 1124 East Mountain Road

Hours: Adoption clinics, Thursday, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Website: http://www.whcp.petfinder.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westfieldhomelesscatprojectadoptions

Westfield Regional Animal Shelter

Address: 178 Apremont Way

Hours: Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 564-3129

Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ma70.html

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Regional Dog Shelter and Adoption Center

Address: 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 676-9182

Website: http://fcrdogkennel.org/contact.html

The 79-year-old restaurant nearly closed in June because a buyer couldn't be found.

SPRINGFIELD - Businessman Peter A. Picknelly said his decision to buy the Student Prince Cafe and The Fort Dining Room  this summer was based on emotion.

He feared that the 79-year-old downtown mainstay would close because the Scherff family couldn't find a buyer.

"It would have been a disaster to lose this restaurant for Springfield," said Picknelly, CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines.

But Thursday, standing in near the Student Prince bar  watching artist Jonathan Kohrman stencil an elaborate design high up on the wall, Picknelly said he and managing partner Andy Yee are "100 percent convinced" that the new-look Fort will be a moneymaker, a sound business investment and not an act of charity.

"With the efficiencies we have installed and the improvements,"  Picknelly said. "Not a doubt in my mind."

The Fort/Student Prince will reopen Nov. 26, the night prior to Thanksgiving and the  start of the The Fort's traditional busy holiday season. The phone, Yee said, has not stopped ringing since the reopening date went public.

"We are booked solid through the holidays and beyond," Yee said.

Yee and his family have run the Hu Ke Lau in Chicopee for 50 years. The Fort will be their seventh restaurant and they have an eight in the planning stages.

Pickenlly said he and his partners - Yee and business consultants Michael K. Vann and Kevin B. Vann - have invested $750,000 in remodeling the Fort/Student Prince. It is much more than they had originally thought they would spend.

"But it was the reaction we got from people. This restaurant means so much to the city of Springfield," Picknelly said. "We really needed to do this right the first time."

It is also a six-month renovation project squeezed into six weeks of work, Yee said.

These days the Fort/Student Prince is more of a construction zone than restaurant, smelling of fresh paint and sawdust not saurbraten and red cabbage. Kohrman is hard at work up on the walls. The tables are out at a contractor getting refurbished. More booths are on order from a custom manufacturer.

"Where are the most popular seats in The Fort? Everybody wants a booth," Picknelly said. "So we are adding more booths in the dining room."

Lights from the Heidelberg Room in back were moved to the dining room. The Heidelberg Room, long the site of political events, got new chandeliers made of antlers as part of a general makeover.

The most dramatic change will likely hit visitors as the first walk in. The partition just to the right after coming in is gone. What were two bars are going to be one large bar with a white marble top and a new beer tap system.

"I'm all about bringing people together," Yee said. "In the past, there was too much separation. Now you will be able to see everybody."

Picknelly said Yee taught him that the old set up was inefficient. It was hard for bartenders to serve customers from two separate bars.

They've also added a walkway behind the bar so waitstaff can come and go unimpeded. There used to be traffic jams around the bar on busy nights.

"We have done all this without loosing a seat," Picknelly said. "We are still at 258 seats, same as before."

Yee said the storefront dining area on Main street, once used as a deli, will be a function room when it reopens in January or February 2015.

Picknelly said the redone kitchen is also more efficient.

Yee said the old kitchen needed an update: "It was good for its day. But the technology today is so much better."

The trick, Yee said, is to bring back what people love about The Fort while also making necessary updates.

He's installing WiFi Internet service. But on the other hand the Scherff family will return in a week or so to  put back all the steins removed during the renovation.

"We are bringing the new world to polish the old world charm," Yee said. "The young professional market is important to me. I don't want them leaving Springfield after 5 p.m."

Picknelly said they took photos to make sure they get all the steins back in their original locations.

"All the steins will be back and then some," he said. "We are adding more shelves."

About half the staff, including the chef and sous chef, will be back. Rudi Scherff, the former managing partner, will be back to greet patrons,  Yee said.

The menu will still have German favorites, like Roquefort dressing and fried Camembert cheese, but there will be updates.

"Salads," Yee said. "And we are doing a German cheeseburger. We are doing a German Mac and Cheese."

Picknelly said they are even bring back the "boot" of beer. The Fort once sold 64-ounce drafts in a mug shaped like a boot. But state law made the boots illegal because they were too big. Picknelly said they were able to find smaller, 32-ounce,  boots that are legal to use.

Natalie Laraque, managing director of regional communications for Teach for America, said the organization is "in initial conversations with public school officials,local public charters and members of the community to understand what the needs may be in Western Massachusetts."

SPRINGFIELD – The Massachusetts headquarters for nonprofit Teach for America is eying the city as a possible recipient for its college graduate fueled program.

Teach for America is a national organization with the mission to "eliminate educational inequity by recruiting high-achieving recent college graduates to teach for at least two years in low-income school districts" It is exploring a partnership with Springfield public schools, a spokesman for the organization confirmed on Thursday,

Natalie Laraque, managing director of regional communications for Teach for America, said the organization is "in initial conversations with public school officials, local public charters and members of the community to understand what the needs may be in Western Massachusetts."

Laraque said the organization, which has 200 corps members working in Greater Boston, identified Springfield as the kind of school district that Teach for America was established to serve.

The organization was founded in 1989 by Wendy Kopp to eliminate educational inequity.

Springfield school officials could not be reached for comment.

Laraque said "this is our sixth year partnering with high-need schools in Massachusetts, and right now there are almost 200 Teach For America teachers working in classrooms in Greater Boston, the Merrimack Valley, the South Coast and the North Shore, reaching over 12,000 students each day.

"We work with Boston, Chelsea, Fall River, New Bedford and Lawrence public schools, as well as public charter schools like KIPP, Roxbury Prep and Salem Academy, and in-district charter operators like UP, "she said.

If Teach for America is successful in establishing a relationship with Springfield, corps members could come to Springfield for the school year beginning in September.

The interest of Teach for America in Springfield comes as the school district is considering a number of options to turn around underperforming schools, including eight middle schools.

Earlier this month, the School Committee was asked to consider a plan to band eight of the middle schools under an "empowerment zone" to be created through a partnership of the school district, the teachers union, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and Empower Schools Inc., a Boston-based organization founded by education reform enterpreneur Chris Gabrieli.

The committee voted on Oct. 9 to "sign a letter of intent" with Gabrieli's organization to put the zone in place for the 2015-2016 school year. The committee has 30 days from the vote to adopt the plan.,

Prior to the interest of Empower Schools, Inc., the city met with another Boston-based organization about a plan to help in a school turnaround effort. UP Educational Network was invited by the state to open a district-run Horace-Mann charter school in one of the city's underperforming middle schools.

During the School Committee meeting on the empowerment zone plan, Superintendent Daniel J. Warwick, said that the plan would not preclude UP Academy from being involved in the city's turnaround efforts.

Springfield Empowerment Zone would include Chestnut (which the district divided into Chestnut South, Chestnut North and Chestnut Talented and Gifted this school year), Kiley, Kennedy, Forest Park, Duggan and Van Sickle middle schools.

There are also more than 1,700 Teach for America alumni living in Massachusetts, working alongside corps members, families and other educators to solve the problem of educational inequity.

The plans for the restaurant in the South End follow the building being empty since damage from the tornado of 2011.

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council approved special permits this week for several developments ranging from a Spanish style restaurant in the South End to a used car lot and repair shop in Pine Point.

By unanimous vote, a special permit was granted to Jose Baez, who is planning to open a restaurant at 1021 Main St. in the South End. The building has been vacant since being significantly damaged in the tornado of June 1, 2011, officials said.

The building, at the corner of Main and Union streets, was formerly the location of Murphy's Law Sports Bar and Pub, and previously was the site of Sam's Sports Bar.

The plans for a restaurant follow major renovations to the building, according to a Planning Department analysis provided to the council. The department recommended approval of the special permit.

The special permit was needed because the building had been closed more than two years, officials said.

The owner of the property is AW Real Estate Corp.

In separate action, the council approved a special permit to Noemi De Leon to allow car repairs and used car sales at 18 Berkshire Ave. in the Pine Point neighborhood.

The council, as part of permit conditions, gave De Leon a limit of having no more than 30 cars for sale at a time. DeLeon had requested 35 cars, while the Planning Department recommended a cap of 25 cars.

There have been car-related businesses at the site for years, but the permit is specifically for De Leon's proposed uses, city officials said.

Under permit conditions, various repairs and maintenance must occur on the property.

The property owner is listed as George Whibey.

A simple breakdown of the 4 questions appearing on the Nov. 4, 2014 ballot in Massachusetts.

Are you wondering what the four ballot questions you'll see on Election Day this coming Tuesday are all about?

You probably aren't alone. Although we politics reporters eat, breathe and sleep this stuff, the average person is likely too busy to pay much attention until close to the election. But don't worry, because here is your simple guide to the four ballot questions including what a "yes" or "no" vote will mean for each.

And if it seems counterintuitive that in many cases relating to these ballot questions, a "yes" vote means "no," and vice versa, you aren't alone there either. Oftentimes, the people who work to get a ballot question approved write the wording in a way that makes uninformed voters unwittingly give them the advantage.

Background: The Massachusetts Legislature passed a law last year that raised the state tax on gasoline sales. One of the clauses in the bill made it so the tax would automatically be adjusted every year by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index. This means that as the CPI increases year-over-year, so does the gas tax.

Arguments: Some lawmakers and supporters say the money is needed to ensure funds to repair the state's aging infrastructure. (Website: Committee for Safer Roads and Bridges)

Opponents say tax increases should be voted upon each time to ensure electoral accountability. (Website: Committee to Tank Automatic Gas Hikes)

• A "yes" vote would eliminate the requirement that the state’s gas tax be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index.
• A "no" vote would make no changes to the current law.

Background: The idea of expanding 5 cent bottle deposits to non-carbonated beverage bottles has been introduced as legislation every session during the past few years, but it never actually gets voted on. This ballot question would require deposits on containers for all non-alcoholic, non-carbonated drinks, with the exceptions being dairy, infant formulas, FDA approved medicines in liquid form, juice boxes and and anything in containers made of paper-based biodegradable material.

Arguments: Advocates say expanding the bottle bill would reduce litter, increase recycling and reduce the burden on municipalities to clean up trash on public property. (Website: Coalition for an Updated Bottle Bill)

Opponents say that the state should instead focus on expanding curbside recycling, and that the question's approval would place an undue burden on businesses to expand redemption facilities. (Website: Comprehensive Recycling Works)

• A "yes" vote would expand the law to require consumers to pay nickel deposits on non-carbonated beverage containers.
• A "no" vote would make no changes to the current law.

 

Background: In 2011, the Massachusetts Legislature passed the Expanded Gaming Act which set standards and guidelines for the licensing of up to three resort-style casinos and a slots parlor in the commonwealth to spur associated economic development. Since then, local voters and the state gaming commission have approved an MGM Resorts International casino in Springfield, a Wynn Resorts casino in Everett and a Penn National Gaming slots parlor at the Plainridge Harness Race Track in Plainville.

Arguments: Advocates of the law say allowing casinos in Massachusetts will make the state more of a draw for tourism dollars, create job opportunities and pump money into local and state coffers. Others, while note entirely comfortable with casino gambling, say it is either settled law or the best option where no others exist. (Website: Coalition to Protect Mass. Jobs)

Opponents of casino gaming feel the positive promises have been oversold and the casinos will bring more bad than good to the state including an increase in crime, gambling addiction and job loss due to the cannibalization of neighboring businesses. (Website: Repeal the Casino Deal)

• A "yes" vote would repeal the law and make illegal the already approved casino gaming facilities in Springfield, Everett and Plainville.
• A "no" vote would make no changes to the current law.

Background: This ballot question is a follow-up to the minimum wage increase advocates were able to get introduced and passed in the Massachusetts Legislature this past year. It would allow for people who work for businesses with 11 or more employees to earn and use up to 40 hours of paid sick time per calendar year, while employees working for smaller employers could earn and use up to 40 hours of unpaid sick time per calendar year.

Arguments: Advocates say thousands of hardworking people in Massachusetts are forced to choose between going to work sick or losing a day’s pay or their job if they are in one of the many positions which don't include any time off benefits. They say businesses providing sick time would reduce employee turnover, increases productivity, and help the business bottom line in the process. (Website: Raise Up Mass.)

Opponents say the ballot question's passage would place an undue burden on businesses and local government, as it would apply to municipalities as well. (Website: Retailers Association of Massachusetts)

• A "yes" vote would require business entities with at least 11 employees to provide part- or full-time employees with up to 40 hours of sick time each calendar year at the rate of one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked.
• A "no" vote would make no changes to the current law.

A teacher immediately told the student to remove the hood of the costume, and keep it off for the rest of the day.

WORCESTER - A student at the high school President Obama gave the commencement address at last spring found herself in an uncomfortable situation after she was asked to remove the costume she wore as part of "superheros and super villains" day at the school Thursday.

According to WBZ-TV, CBS4, in Boston the student, who was not identified, entered Worcester Technical High School with a robe on. But before school began, she put on the rest of her costume and took a photo with her friends.

A teacher immediately told her to remove the hood of the costume, and keep it off for the rest of the day, WBZ reported.

"The teacher informed the student that while her costume technically represented a villainous character in history, her costume choice represented poor judgment and was offensive to the Worcester Public School community," Jennifer Roy, a spokeswoman for Worcester Public Schools said in a prepared statement. The student apologized for her poor judgement, and stated that she did not mean to offend anyone, Roy's statement said.

"It was taken care of before the first bell of the day, so (the costume) was never worn in a classroom," the Telegram & Gazette of Worcester quoted Roy as saying.

A photo of the costume was shared on social media.

President Obama gave the commencement in June in recognition of academic achievement the school had shown.

WBZ quoted one student, Jared Parretti, who took a photo of the student, as calling the costume outrageous.

"It was honestly, outrageous," he told the station. "People looked at it and were - like - speechless. They didn't know what to say. Cause, who would honestly dress like that?"

The gololcalprov.com website quoted a parent whose daughter attends the school.

"The student was able to walk the halls," golocalprov.com quoted Niki Winfield as saying. "They finally made the student take it off but the damage is done. Someone was able to take pictures. My daughter was devastated. They gave the kid who wore the Jesus costume a problem. Had the student dressed like Hitler, they would've been arrested for being anti-semetic."

Superintendent of Schools Melinda J. Boone was appalled at this situation, and did not condone any acts that could be represented as offensive to the school community, Roy stated.

"We are glad the situation was handled professionally and we will facilitate student assemblies at WTHS in the coming week," Roy said in her statement.

Patricia Yancey, president of the Worcester Unit of the NAACP, praised the school system for its handling of the situation.

"I commend the swift and appropriate manner in which the faculty and administration of the Worcester Public School handled this manner," Yancey said, also in a prepared statement. "We must all remember this was the unfortunate action of one our young students and we should strive to speak of our youth and those in their immediate environment in a supportive manner."

The Ku Klux Klan is a hate group that had a history of targeting African American people. Its members traditionally wear a white robe and pointed hood. The hood often contains a front panel that covers the face of the person wearing it.

Golocalprov said the principal, Sheila Harrity, was in the midst of her last day at the school Friday. Beginning Monday, she becomes superintendent of the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical HIgh School in Fitchburg.

Officials at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett said 14-year-old Shaylee Chuckulnaskit died Friday afternoon.

SEATTLE -- One of the teenagers wounded in a Washington state high school shooting has died, raising to four the number of fatalities from the moment when a student opened fire in a cafeteria.

Officials at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett said 14-year-old Shaylee Chuckulnaskit died Friday afternoon. Zoe Galasso, 14, was killed during the shooting Oct. 24 by a popular freshman at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Gia Soriano, also 14, died Sunday at the hospital.

Two other students remain hospitalized.

The shooter, Jaylen Fryberg, died of a self-inflicted wound.

The school 30 miles north of Seattle was closed this week and will reopen Monday. The school will have grief counselors available.

A Mexican judge on Friday ordered the immediate release of a jailed U.S. Marine veteran who spent eight months behind bars for crossing the border with loaded guns.

SAN DIEGO -- A Mexican judge on Friday ordered the immediate release of a jailed U.S. Marine veteran who spent eight months behind bars for crossing the border with loaded guns.

The judge called for retired Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi to be freed because of his mental state and did not make a determination on the illegal arms charges against the Afghanistan veteran diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a Mexican official who had knowledge of the ruling but was not authorized to give his name.

Tahmooressi has said he took a wrong turn on a California freeway that funneled him into a Tijuana port of entry with no way to turn back. His detention brought calls for his freedom from U.S. politicians, veterans groups and social media campaigns.

"It is with an overwhelming and humbling feeling of relief that we confirm that Andrew was released today after spending 214 days in Mexican Jail," the family said in a statement.

U.S. Republican and Democratic politicians had held talks with Mexican authorities to urge his release. A U.S. congressional committee also held a public hearing to pressure Mexico to free him.

U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he was "elated" by the news and that his PTSD will be treated by specialists in the United States. He had met with Tahmooressi in jail and talked to Mexico's Jesus Murillo Karam about the case.

"As I said after visiting Andrew in the Mexican jail, he needs to come home to the United States to be with his mother Jill and the support network of friends I know to be standing by to help him. He is a hero who served his country bravely on the battlefields of Afghanistan, which is why so many Americans have been focused on getting him home," Royce said.

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who grew up in Mexico and has negotiated on a range of international issues, said he met with Tahmooressi in jail in the border city of Tecate, and he had talked to Mexican officials to urge them to release Tahmooressi on humanitarian grounds.

"I respect Mexico's judicial process, and I am pleased that Andrew was released today and will return home to his family," Richardson in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., also applauded his release.

"As a mother, my heart is with Jill Tahmooressi tonight and I can only imagine the many emotions she must be experiencing, namely the relief in knowing her son is coming home and that they will soon be reunited without prison bars, without handlers and without unnecessary travel," Wasserman Schultz said. "It is my hope that Andrew can transition back to life in the U.S. after this ordeal as soon as possible, including securing the treatment he needs for his post-traumatic stress disorder and being honored for his service to our nation."

Mexican authorities, however, had made clear that they would not be influenced by politics and that the matter was in the hands of its courts.

In Mexico, possession of weapons restricted for use by the Army is a federal crime, and the country has been tightening up its border checks to stop the flow of US weapons that have been used by drug cartels.

His attorney, Fernando Benitez, had pushed for the 26-year-old Florida man to be released because Mexico has no experience in treating combat-related PTSD, even in its own soldiers.

Benitez had argued that Tahmooressi carries loaded guns with him because his weapons, which were bought legally in the U.S., make him feel safer. He added that the veteran is often distracted, which could have contributed to him becoming lost.

Still, Mexican prosecutors maintained Tahmooressi broke the law.

Tahmooressi was carrying in his truck a rifle, shotgun, pistol and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

After being jailed in Tijuana, Tahmooressi's mother said, he tried to kill himself by cutting his neck with a shard from a light bulb in his cell because the guards and inmates threatened to rape, torture and kill him and he feared she would be in danger.

He was transferred to another prison, where a pastor visited him regularly and the Mexican government says he was under medical observation.

But a psychiatrist hired by Mexican prosecutors to examine the Afghanistan veteran agreed with the defense that he should get PTSD treatment in the United States, noting in a Sept. 30 report that Tahmooressi, who now serves in the Marine reserve, feels like he is constantly in danger.

Tahmooressi did not admit wrongdoing, and he still maintains his innocence, his attorney said.

His mother, Jill Tahmooressi, has said her son's time in a Mexican jail has been worse than his two tours in Afghanistan.

Tahmooressi left Florida for San Diego in January to get help after dropping out of college, unable to concentrate or sleep, his mother said.

The case marks one of the first times Mexico made a ruling on PTSD -- though the psychological wound is increasingly used in U.S. courts, especially in arguing for reduced sentences.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Velasquez is asked to call the Greenfield Police Department at (413) 773-5411. He's wanted for attempted murder in connection with an Oct. 29 shooting at the Leyden Woods apartment complex in Greenfield.

GREENFIELD — Police took to social media again on Friday to ask for help in finding Jose J. Velasquez, the second man wanted in connection with Wednesday night's shooting at the Leyden Woods apartment complex in Greenfield.

There were no injuries in the shooting, which was reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. and may have been retaliatory in nature, according to authorities.

Jean Rivera, 22, a Leyden Woods resident, was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, but Velasquez, 25, fled the scene and remains at large.

"This fugitive may be armed and dangerous. Do not take action on your own," Greenfield police said in a message on the department's Facebook page.

Velasquez, who has ties to the Springfield area, is wanted for attempted murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and various other firearm-related offenses, police said.

Velasquez's last known address was Leyden Woods, but he "could be in the Springfield area," police said.

Wednesday's incident began as an altercation involving Velasquez and Rivera and two other men in the parking lot of the apartment complex, which is located a few miles northwest of downtown Greenfield.

Witnesses told investigators that Velasquez pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at the men, at least one of whom was an informant in a Springfield drug case involving Velasquez. Rivera took the gun from Velasquez and cocked the slide to load a cartridge into the chamber, police said. Velasquez then took back the gun and fired a single round in the air before pointing it toward the victims and opening fire, according to police and prosecutors.

A vehicle was struck by the gunfire, but no one was injured, police said.

Rivera pleaded not guilty in Greenfield District Court on Thursday to two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to The Recorder (online subscription required). He also denied single counts of witness intimidation, disorderly conduct, malicious destruction of property, unlicensed gun possession, and shooting a gun within 500 feet of a building.

Rivera was ordered held without bail for up to 90 days, after a judged ruled that releasing him would be dangerous, the Greenfield newspaper reports.

One of the alleged victims, Hector Nieves, 33, was a criminal informant in a Springfield drug case against Velasquez, The Recorder reports, citing case records. Velasquez was arrested in a January drug raid in Springfield and charged with heroin possession with intent to distribute and various firearm offenses, the newspaper reports.

Prior to the shooting, Rivera and Velasquez threatened Nieves and the other man and called them "snitches," according to court records cited by The Recorder.

The Massachusetts State Police Ballistics and Crime Scene Services sections and Franklin County Sheriff's Department assisted with the investigation.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts of Velasquez to call the Greenfield Police Department at (413) 773-5411.

Jeffrey Fowle said he traveled to the country as a tourist but saw the opportunity as a way to follow the Christian mission "to carry the Gospel to all corners of the oath."

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS

LEBANON, Ohio -- An American who is back home after being detained for nearly six months in North Korea said Friday that he left a Bible in a nightclub hoping it would get into the hands of what he called the country's underground Christian church.

Jeffrey Fowle said he traveled to the country as a tourist but saw the opportunity as a way to follow the Christian mission "to carry the Gospel to all corners of the oath."

"I knew it was a risk, that I was taking a gamble, but I felt compelled to do that to aid the underground church in some small way," Fowle said in an interview in his lawyer's office.

"I felt once I left the Bible somewhere that God would take it the rest of the way into the hands of some kind of Christian organization, and I'd be able to waltz out of country fat, dumb and happy, no problem," he said. "But God had other plans."

Fowle, 56, arrived in North Korea on April 29. The married father of three returned home last week after negotiations involving retired diplomat and former Ohio Congressman Tony Hall. Fowle, who conducted several interviews Friday about his detention, was relaxed and comfortable during a 45-minute interview.

He said he went to North Korea to experience the country and that spreading the Gospel was a secondary motivation. He'd previously traveled to Bosnia and Mongolia, he said, saying he liked "out-of-the-way places." He was aware of warnings about travel to North Korea but went anyway, knowing that American tourists had gone and returned over the past decade.

Fowle, an equipment operator in the city of Moraine street department, said he paid about $3,900 for the tour, plus about $700 for a flight to Beijing. He said criticisms that going on such a tour would help the North Korean government continue its oppressive ways was a "legitimate question," but he doubted his money went far.

"My fees wouldn't have bought a tank, that's for sure," he said.

Fowle said he left the Bible -- with his name in it -- in a bathroom under a trash bin at a nightclub in the northern port city of Chongjin and hoped a Christian would find it. He chose that city and the nightclub in the belief there would be less security. He bought the English-Korean Bible before his trip.

Instead, his tour guide asked the next day if anyone had left a Bible there and he owned up to it. He was detained a few days later while going through customs before departure.

Fowle was taken to a hotel for about three weeks and questioned, then moved to another facility. He wrote a confession and answered questions about his motivations. He said authorities couldn't believe he had acted on his own, but he made clear it was his own decision. He was treated well and was comfortable but was in his locked quarters 231/2 hours a day, he said.

He was allowed to speak in September to Western news organizations, including The Associated Press, in five-minute interviews. He said he was given "talking points" for those interviews, meant to convey his "desperate situation."

The intention, in his mind, was "to have the U.S. government or some other entity step in to help resolve that situation."

He said he never considered going off script, although he did reject requests that he try to be more emotional and more demanding of the U.S. government. Fowle said he felt that would make his situation worse at home.

Fowle said his release came as a surprise -- he thought he was about to be taken to prison -- and he was told by an American who helped him escort him home that the North Korean government was responsible for his return.

Fowle said he knew there was a risk but believed it was worth taking to get the Bible into the hands of North Korean Christians. In hindsight, he said, he wouldn't do it again.

His family suffered in his absence, especially after the city of Moraine was forced to terminate him when his leave was exhausted. His wife, Tatyana, works only part time.

But some good has come of the incident, he said, including a deeper appreciation for his family. He apologized to his wife in a letter from North Korea and has pledged to be a better, more attentive husband and father.

"You don't know what you've got until it's taken away from you forcibly," he said. "You don't appreciate what you've got."

Fowle said he will be glad to return to his job with the city of Moraine, a Dayton suburb. The city agreed to give him his street department job back but said risky travel in the future would result in his firing. Fowle said he agrees with the requirement and has no plans for missionary work in "closed countries" in the future.

U.S. officials are trying to win the release of two other Americans who are being held in North Korea, Matthew Miller and Kenneth Bae. Fowle said he had had no contact with Miller or Bae.

The Dalai Lama appears at two Boston events;plans TD Garden presentation.

BOSTON (AP) -- The Dalai Lama made two public appearances in the Boston area Friday that drew protests from a group accusing him of human rights abuses and discrimination.

The Tibetan spiritual leader spoke Friday morning at the Boston Marriott Copley Place hotel at a symposium organized by the Mind and Life Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on how scientific research and Buddhist teachings can provide insights into the human mind and condition.

The Dalai Lama then spoke at panel discussions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. One of the discussions focused on how individual actions can help address major challenges like global warming and food security.

Throughout the events hundreds of protesters followed, holding banners outside the hotel that said "False Dalai Lama, Stop Lying" and "Dalai Lama Give Religious Freedom."

Next to them was a sizeable crowd of Dalai Lama supporters waving Tibetan and American flags and handing out flyers suggesting the opposition group was under the direction of the Chinese government, a charge the protest organizers, the International Shugden Community, strongly rejected.

The California-based organization said millions of Buddhists have faced persecution and segregation across the world because in the late 1990s the Dalai Lama banned making prayers to Dorje Shugden, a Buddhist deity.

"This has been going on for nearly 20 years and he has never once entered a dialogue," said Nicholas Pitts, a spokesman for the group. "So we're making sure that he sees us and hears us. We absolutely want a resolution. We have no interest in carrying on demonstrating for its sake."

The group has been organizing protests throughout the Dalai Lama's visit to the U.S., which has included stops in Birmingham, Alabama, and Princeton, New Jersey.

On Saturday, the Dalai Lama is set to talk about "educating the heart and mind" at the TD Garden, an event organized by the Tibetan Association of Boston. The Dalai Lama is set to wrap up his U.S. trip with stops in New York City from Sunday to Tuesday.

Three girls were struck and killed by an SUV, which fled the scene, as they crossed a street in Santa Ana

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Three teenage girls trick-or-treating in Halloween costumes were killed by a hit-and-run driver at a Southern California intersection Friday night, authorities said.

The girls were in a crosswalk near an elementary school in Santa Ana when the SUV with two men inside hit them about 6:45 p.m., police and fire officials said.

The girls, whose names were not immediately clear, ranged in ages from 13 to 15, Orange County fire Capt. Steve Concialdi said. Two of them were declared dead immediately, and a third died as paramedics prepared to take her to a hospital, Concialdi said.

The scene was "very sad," he said, "when millions of children, teenagers and adults are out trick-or-treating on a wonderful evening to insert tragedy like this."

Police were seeking two men from a Nissan Pathfinder that hit the girls, police Chief Carlos Rojas said at a media briefing.

The SUV was found abandoned near the scene, but the suspects had not yet been found, Rojas said.

Police were working to determine the girls' names and to find their parents, Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.

Jeff Evans was trick-or-treating with his 8-year-old daughter about a half-block away when he heard squealing tires, looked over and saw the collision.

"When we got over here, there was already a tarp over two girls," Evans told the Orange County Register.

Soon after the accident some 60 people had gathered at the scene, where the fire department had chaplains and volunteers to counsel those upset by the incident.

Santa Ana is located near Anaheim and about 30 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Police recovered spent shell casings at a shooting site in the city's North End.

SPRINGFIELD— Police recovered spent shell casings from a parking area on Newland Street, after a Shotspotter activation indicated 14 gunshots were fired.

The city's acoustic gunfire location system and citizen reports, placed the shooting between 30 Orchard Street and 19 Newland Street, an area separated by a chain link fence. Springfield Police detectives located the shell casings on the Newland Street side of the fence, next to two trash receptacles.

Officers searched the area looking for damage from the 3:30 a.m. gunfire but found none, they said.

Witnesses reported to police that a gold-colored Honda Accord was seen leaving the area just after the shots were fired. Less than 15 minutes later, a car fitting that description cruised past the shooting scene. The car was stopped and searched, and the driver detained.

Police are still investigating the incident. Any new information will be posted as it becomes available.

Kerrigan has honed his political skills and his "people skills" through a career as a political operative.

CAMBRIDGE - Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Steve Kerrigan sat at the head of a table with 20 business people at a Cambridge Chamber of Commerce lunch.

"I appreciate you giving me time to eat my sandwich," were nearly the first words out of Kerrigan's mouth. "I come from an Irish family. We all know to eat as quickly as you can before someone takes it off your plate."

Days before Election Day, the candidates for lieutenant governor – Kerrigan and Republican Karyn Polito are laboring in the shadows of the top of their tickets – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Martha Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker. While Coakley and Baker get the spotlight, Kerrigan and Polito are the loyal foot soldiers, delivering their messages to small groups of voters. For Kerrigan, it is a role he is used to, as he has spent his entire career in the background of state and national politics, with roles ranging from a long-time aide to U.S. Sen. Edward "Ted" Kennedy to CEO of President Barack Obama's second presidential inauguration. Colleagues say he is known for his humor and hard work.

"He has a sort of total loyalty and devotion to the causes that he works for," said Mary Beth Cahill, who was Kennedy's chief of staff when Kerrigan was the political director and now works for the UAW in Washington, D.C.

On the campaign trail, Kerrigan travels around the state holding meet and greets with local politicians and visiting union events, festivals, brunches and trade group meetings, where he sells the Coakley campaign talking points. At the Chamber of Commerce event, Kerrigan talked for an hour about the importance of investing in education, lowering the burden of student debt, giving local officials state money for priority projects, and providing earned sick time for all workers. He answered questions about streamlining regulations, improving public schools, and a ballot question that would repeal an automatic increase in the gas tax.

With a Springfield Republican reporter in the room, Kerrigan talked about the need to build high-speed rail from Boston to Springfield. "There's one round trip train from Springfield to Boston every day, so no one can use it for commuting purposes," Kerrigan said. "There are five from Portland, Maine!"

Kerrigan has taken a more aggressive role than Polito in the campaign. He held press conferences attacking Baker and Polito on child welfare and immigration. During an interview with The Republican/MassLive.com, Kerrigan derided Polito as "a right-wing conservative who now says she supports marriage equality for 10 years even though she voted against it five times, who wasn't a tea party person even though she accepted an award from the tea party...who's been anti-immigrant, anti-equality."

Ask Polito why voters should choose her over Kerrigan and she generally focuses on a difference of experience. "Both of us have business experience, unlike our opponents," she said in a Boston Herald radio debate. (Kerrigan and Coakley both worked primarily in the public sector.) During a televised debate on NECN, Polito declined to criticize Kerrigan personally, focusing mainly on policy differences.

If elected, Kerrigan envisions his role as being a liaison to mayors and municipal officials; making Massachusetts more competitive for businesses; working on veterans affairs; addressing homelessness and housing; and overseeing an interagency task force on drug addition.

"I want to be a partner to solve problems, serve as ombudsmen for state government, not only work in the administration to advance our agenda but to deal with issues business leaders and nonprofit leaders, citizens, officials bring to us when they're having a difficult time navigating state government," Kerrigan said.

Kerrigan, 43, of Lancaster, worked for Kennedy for a decade, rising from intern to political director. He spent four years as chief of staff for Massachusetts attorney general Thomas Reilly, worked on the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, then became CEO of the 2012 Democratic National Convention. He was chief of staff for Obama's first inauguration and CEO for Obama's second. He is the president of Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, a non-profit he founded dedicated to helping families of Massachusetts' fallen soldiers.

"He understands government at every single level from a small town in Massachusetts to state government to, because of years with Senator Kennedy, at a federal level," Reilly said.

Former colleagues portrayed Kerrigan as a hard-working political operative.

Michael Mershon, Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern's press secretary, worked for Kennedy in the mid-1990s and recalled Kerrigan's dedication to the late senator. "He always reminded us we were working for Ted Kennedy. We weren't just working for a senator or a member of Congress," Mershon recalled. "He always reminded us our mission was to support the senator's mission."

Mershon had to be at Kennedy's office by 6:30 a.m. to compile news clips. "It's hard for me to remember a morning that (Kerrigan) wasn't already in the office, and he didn't have to be," Mershon said.

Julie Burns, who works in communications for Blue Cross Blue Shield, met Kerrigan when she was working for former Boston mayor Thomas Menino in the 1990s and Kerrigan was working for Kennedy. She was the executive director of a non-profit formed to bring the Democratic National Convention to Boston in 2004. Kerrigan was the chief of staff.

"We had to raise $55 million, recruit and train 14,000 volunteers, plan and execute over 1,000 events, all in 18 months," Burns recalled. With media attention, she said, "We were working in a fishbowl."

"There's no person I'd rather be in the bunker with than Steve Kerrigan," Burns said. "He's one of those people who whatever you're dealing with, he can roll up his sleeve, dig in, figure out how to get from point a to point b."

Several colleagues stressed Kerrigan's ability to connect with people.

Working for Kennedy after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, Kerrigan was assigned to be a liaison to Massachusetts families who lost loved ones. Christie Coombs, whose husband Jeff was killed on American Airlines Flight 11, was among those families. "(Kerrigan) did what he did...not because he has to or because someone tells him to, but because he's extremely compassionate and he wants to reach out," Coombs said. "He allowed us to cry on his shoulders, he got to know us on a personal level...Even as we were recovering as best we could post-9/11, he kind of stayed in our lives."

Coombs and Kerrigan remained close after Kerrigan left Kennedy's office, and Kerrigan asked her to serve on the board of the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, which she did. Coombs said Kerrigan not only connected her with the support and resources she needed, he became her friend.

Polito was a tenacious advocate for her district, who was tough on crime and involved with child protection issues and economic development. On social issues, Republicans have stressed her moderate votes while Democrats tie her to the Tea Party.

LAWRENCE – Karyn Polito, the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, worked the Lawrence senior center alongside a Spanish interpreter, going from table to table during a Bingo game shaking hands.

"Hi, I'm Karyn Polito. I'm running with Charlie Baker for governor," Polito repeated over and over. "It's time for change. We feel things need to be better."

"He's a Democrat, right?" asked one (mistaken) elderly woman. "Charlie Baker, I think he's good," said another woman.

As Election Day approaches, the candidates for lieutenant governor – Polito and Democrat Steve Kerrigan are largely overshadowed by the gubernatorial candidates, Republican Charlie Baker and Democrat Martha Coakley. Polito in particular has remained behind the scenes. While Kerrigan has held press conferences denouncing Polito's record, Polito has largely avoided the spotlight. She pushes Baker's talking points on the trail and takes advantage of the relationships she has in central Massachusetts.

Though Polito talks about her work running a family business, it is her record in the state legislature that has emerged as a point of contention between the parties. By all accounts, Polito was a tenacious advocate for her district, who was tough on crime and involved with child protection issues and economic development. But on social issues, Republicans have stressed her more moderate votes while Democrats tie her to the conservative tea party.

Kerrigan said in an interview that Polito "identifies with the right-wing extreme parts of the Republican Party." Kerrigan points out that Polito received a "Citizen Patriot award" at a 2013 tea party event with former U.S. Rep. Allen West, a conservative Republican allied with the tea party.

Polito says the tea party moniker is untrue. "Those are labels that only my opponent Steve Kerrigan attaches to me," Polito told The Republican/MassLive.com. "No one else in this campaign, over the course of this year or in my legislative career or in my small business circles attached that label to me."

"My record in the legislature proves that I am a moderate Republican," Polito said.

If elected lieutenant governor, Polito says she will bring her experience as a small business owner, former selectman and legislator to work with the legislature to promote her and Baker's ideas – to create jobs, improve schools and "bring balance, accountability and transparency" to Beacon Hill.

Polito, 47, of Shrewsbury, was a state representative from 2001 to 2011, leaving the job to mount an unsuccessful run for state treasurer. She is an attorney and the president of a family-owned real estate development company, Polito Development Corporation. Previously, she was a Shrewsbury selectman and member of the state lottery commission.

Legislators from both sides of the aisle say she worked tirelessly for her constituents. "She really worked hard for her district and the communities she represented," said George Peterson, a Grafton Republican and the assistant minority leader. Peterson pointed to work Polito did to increase local aid and improve the economy by working on small business initiatives. Grafton recalled working with Polito when Westborough State Hospital closed to get the property sold to the community.

Rep. Anne Gobi, a Spencer Democrat, said the two worked together on issues related to the Worcester Regional Transit Authority.

"In caucus...she was always bringing up district-related issues for Shrewsbury and Worcester County," said State Sen. Don Humason, a Westfield Republican who sat next to Polito in the House. "The rest of us across the state who didn't grow up in Worcester County knew more about it because she was always talking about it."

Polito was active on issues related to public safety and children. Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, a former Republican state representative, said Polito was an advocate for "Jessica's Law," which put in place mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual crimes against children. Evangelidis supported Polito on that bill, and Polito supported Evangelidis' work on "Melanie's Law," which increased mandatory minimum sentences for repeat drunk drivers.

Humason said Polito also "had a lot of credibility on business and economic development issues" because of her family's real estate business.

He called her "tenacious." "If she got behind an issue, she wouldn't let it drop until it passed," Humason said.

On social issues, Democrats say Polito was seen as conservative, while Republicans claim otherwise.

For example, Polito now supports gay marriage. But in the House, she voted multiple times for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman and voted against a bill that would have repealed the ban on out-of-state same-sex couples marrying in Massachusetts. She did support civil unions before she supported gay marriage.

"She changed view on marriage equality to get on the ticket," Kerrigan said.

"She wasn't out front on equality issues," Gobi said, adding, "I'm glad she seems to be more so now."

Polito says her position evolved – as has Democratic President Barack Obama's position. She dismissed Kerrigan's comments as negative campaigning "because they don't have plans and a vision and something positive to offer voters." "I embrace marriage equality, as does my running mate Charlie Baker," Polito said. "If my opponent doesn't want to accept that, then that's his problem."

At a press conference with Kerrigan, Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez, a Jamaica Plain Democrat, called Polito "aggressive" and "divisive" when she talked about immigrants. He said in a subsequent interview that he did not work closely with Polito, but they differed in their views. "She thinks government is part of the problem, we think government is part of the solution," Sanchez said.

On immigration, Polito voted against a bill that would have given some illegal immigrants in-state tuition. She voted to support an amendment in the legislature requiring state government to verify the legal residency of adults who apply for welfare.

She supports requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Democrats have also attacked Polito for sponsoring a 2009 bill to move state employees from defined benefit plans to defined contribution plans similar to a 401(k). Polito said in an interview that this is not a policy she and Baker will push. "We want every public employee to be able to get the benefit that is promised to them," Polito said.

Republicans point to the moderate aspects of Polito's voting record. "She was not an ultraconservative," Peterson said. "She is not a tea party individual."

Polito supports abortion rights and has received ratings of 100 percent from the pro-abortion rights group NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. She supported a law putting in place a buffer zone around abortion clinics. After the buffer zone law was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court this year, she supported a new law to protect women's access to abortion clinics.

In the legislature, Polito voted to override Republican Gov. Mitt Romney's veto of stem cell research. She supported several pro-environment bills aimed at creating jobs in clean energy technology, helping municipalities become energy efficient and setting state standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

David Forsberg, a former secretary of health and human services who chairs Baker's campaign, said he is "bemused" by attempts to portray Polito as ultraconservative. "I've observed her career very carefully over the years and I've always considered her a true moderate, able to walk across the aisle," Forsberg said. "So frankly, I think some of this is campaigning.... I think there's a little bit of an attempt to paint her into a corner she's never been in."