An armed man robbed the Tedeschi Food store at 376 Boston Road just after 6 a.m. Sunday. Police said the robber escaped on a bicycle with a small amount of cash.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

Springfield Police Capt. Brian Keenan said the robber escaped the scene on a bicycle but was able to take only a small amount of money and some lottery tickets with him as he fled.

Keenan said the suspect showed a handgun as he demanded cash from the clerk. Police are conducting an extensive K9 search of the neighborhoods around the store.

The suspect apparently fled down Seymour Avenue, as police found a mask beside the roadway as the search took them in that direction.

A little later, searchers found a ball cap similar to the one described by witnesses.

Police are reportedly looking for a Hispanic male, perhaps in his 50s. He is missing teeth and wears a silver earring. Police said he was wearing a New York Yankees jersey and cap.

Swimmers at Duxbury Beach are being warned to be careful after an unconfirmed shark sighting.

DUXBURY -- Swimmers at Duxbury Beach are being warned to be careful after an unconfirmed shark sighting.

The Duxbury Habormaster posted on message on Twitter Sunday about the unconfirmed sighting off Ocean Road North.

"Duxbury Beach will be swim at own risk due to unconfirmed shark sighting off Ocean Rd N.," the Twitter message read. "Swimmers are asked to use caution and stay alert."

The family of an Andover man who has Down syndrome is hoping someone returns the 37-year-old's beloved adult tricycle after it was stolen in Lawrence Friday.

LAWRENCE -- The family of an Andover man who has Down syndrome is hoping someone returns the 37-year-old's beloved adult tricycle after it was stolen in Lawrence Friday.

The family of Jeffrey Croteau told Fox25 News that they are upset someone would steal the tricycle. They began posting information on Facebook and have received support from several people. Some have offered to buy Croteau a new tricycle or donate money.

Facebook.com 

A family member posted on Facebook that Croteau's father was parked outside his welding shop where he works in Lawrence when the tricycle was stolen. A bicycle with two wheels was left in the truck.

The family said Croteau uses the tricycle to exercise, but also as a way to spend time with his father.

Lawrence Police have asked people with information to call police at (978) 794-5900 extension 500.

Police believe a flat tire caused the truck to swerve and roll over.

HATFIELD - A man killed in a rollover crash on Interstate 91 Friday has been identified as a Shelburne resident.

David A. Healey, 53, died in the single-car crash near Exit 21. His name had not been released until all family members could be identified, said Mary Carey, spokeswoman for Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan.

The accident happened at about 4 p.m., Friday in the median between the southbound and northbound lanes of the highway. It caused significant traffic jams on both sides of the highway.

Healey was driving a 2000 Toyota Tundra at the time of the accident. It rolled onto the roof and he was ejected from the vehicle, police said.

He was brought to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton and was pronounced dead, police said.

Police believe that the crash was caused by a flat tire that subsequently made the vehicle swerve and roll over. The accident is still under investigation by Massachusetts State Police.

Corey N. Griffin was wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, subsequent offense.

LUDLOW - A 39-year-old sex offender was apprehended Friday following a manhunt that included police dogs and a helicopter.

Corey N. Griffin, who was wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, subsequent offense, was apprehended at about noon in a wooded area east of Reservoir Road. He was initially arrested by Ludlow Police and booked at the Police Station. He was later transferred to the custody of a Hampden County Task Force, Ludlow Police said.

Police initially received a request for assistance from a Hampden County Task Force who was trying to arrest Griffin, a wanted felon. When the task force and Ludlow Police Officer Stephen Sambor responded to the area of Woodland Circle to make the arrest, Griffin allegedly fled on foot.

"A perimeter and search area was quickly established consisting of Ludlow Police, a MA State Police K-9 trooper, several MA State troopers and the MSP (Massachusetts State Police) Airwing," police said.

Police searched a large wooded area east of Center Street and bordered by Moore, Miller and Poole streets. Griffin was eventually located and arrested by Ludlow Sgt. Daniel Valadas, police said.

As Bernie Sanders called for the chair of the Democratic National Committee to resign, elected officials and Democratic operatives hoped for party unity and boarded an Amtrak train bound for their national convention in Philadelphia. Watch video

BOSTON - As Bernie Sanders called for the chair of the Democratic National Committee to resign, elected officials and Democratic operatives hoped for party unity and boarded an Amtrak train bound for their national convention in Philadelphia.

"I think she should resign, period, and I think we need a new chair who is going to lead us in a very different direction, and that is taking on the billionaire class and fighting for an agenda that works for working families," Sanders said on ABC's "This Week," referring to Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Sanders, who endorsed Hillary Clinton after a lengthy and intense Democratic primary, reiterated that he believes businessman Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, should be defeated.

The call for Schultz's resignation came after a leak of DNC emails, posted to the Wikileaks website, showed "DNC officials scoffing at the Sanders campaign," as well as "questioning his commitment to his Jewish religion," the Associated Press reported.

CNN reported last week that Schultz will not be speaking or appearing at the convention after the emergence of the Wikileaks scandal.

Asked about the emails, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a top Clinton supporter, told reporters, "I think a lot of that is Democratic Party politics."

Clinton narrowly won the Massachusetts Democratic primary in March. Helped by wins in Boston and Springfield, she received 50.1 percent of the vote to Sanders' 48.7 percent statewide.

"Here in Massachusetts we made sure it was a fair, level playing field," state Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, D-Amherst, told reporters before boarding the train to Philadelphia. "Bernie did well."

.@BernieSanders on DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "I think she should resign, period." https://t.co/dVby3NWroD https://t.co/8L7F2MniWz

-- This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 24, 2016

Walsh and Rosenberg are delegates at the Democratic National Convention. They were joined by 48 other people on the train, which left the station just before 10 a.m.

Others who boarded the train with them included Boston City Councilors At-Large Ayanna Pressley and Anissa Essaibi George, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Sens. Thomas McGee of Lynn, Barbara L'Italien of Andover, Linda Dorcena Forry of Dorchester, and Reps. John Mahoney of Worcester, Nick Collins of South Boston, Paul McMurtry of Dedham, and Hampshire County Register of Deeds Mary Olberding, among others.

DNC 2016: When does the Democratic National Convention start? And where can I watch it live?

The third annual Mason Square Initiative Community Family Day drew more than 400 visitors to the park on a sweltering July afternoon.

SPRINGFIELD -- James Frances Hennessey Park in Springfield's Mason Square neighborhood was filled Saturday with rhythm, the shouts of delighted children and the unmistakable aroma of hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on a grill.

The third annual Mason Square Initiative Community Family Day drew more than 400 visitors to the park on a sweltering July afternoon, most of them making it a point to keep hydrated with a reusable bottle filled with city tap water courtesy of the Springfield Water & Sewer Commission.

The public got a chance to mingle with law enforcement, fire and emergency services personnel including the Springfield Police Department and its recruit trainees and the Hampden County Sheriff's Office.

"This is about building relationships between the community and law enforcement," said event founder and Mason Square resident Venorise McCoy, an employee of the Hampden County District Attorney's Office. "So many of the people in our police and fire service grew up here in the neighborhood. Some of them still live here."

The effort is part of Springfield's C3 policing model, one that stresses the importance of police building relationships with people in neighborhoods.

The children got to see sheriff's deputies put police dogs through their paces and they received an anti-bullying message from comic book heroine Betty Laws. They also got to see and hear performances by musician Joe Sallins, a Springfield native, and the Tekniq Dance Majorettes.

Various community groups, from churches to Baystate Health to the Water Commission, also participated.

The event was also sponsored by the City of Springfield, the Springfield Police Department, the Hampden County Sherriff's Department, the Office of the Hampden County District Attorney, Martin Luther King J. Family Services, the New North Citizens Council, and Sodexo.

The part-time job pays $17.82 an hour.

WILBRAHAM — The town is looking to hire an assistant children's librarian to work 17 ½ hours a week, with some rotating evening and weekend shifts.

The $17.82-an-hour job involves helping the children's librarian by providing services and programs for children of all ages, according to a job description on the town's website.

Job candidates should have an educational background in library science or childhood or adolescent development, or a minimum one-year related work experience.

A complete online job description is available by clicking HERE.

Applications should be be mailed to Town of Wilbraham, 240 Springfield St., Wilbraham, MA, 01095, and must be received by 4:30 p.m. Aug. 12.

Local activists are inviting the public to attend a "Watch Party" in Springfield for the Democratic National Convention

SPRINGFEILD -- Local Democrats are inviting the public to attend a "Watch Party" in Springfield on Thursday, July 28, to view the final night of the Democratic National Convention.

The convention watch event is taking place at Sophia's Restaurant and Bar at 463 Breckwood Boulevard and is being sponsored by various Democratic State Committee members, according to a news release.

It is scheduled to begin approximately 7:30 p.m..

There will be voter registration forms available, and light refreshments. Several local Ward Committee chairmen and chairwomen, and State Committee members will be attending to speak to those who might be interested in greater involvement in the party, the release said.

The State Committee sponsors are listed as Jesse Lederman (Springfield), Ray Drewnowski (Holyoke) Nicole LaChapelle (Easthampton), Karen Hansmann (Chicopee), Candy Glazer (Longmeadow), and Patricia Duffy (Holyoke), along with the West Sprngfiield Democratic Committee; Springfield Democratic Committees for Wards 4, 6, and 8, as well as Chicopee School Committeeman Mike Pise and Easthampton City Councilor Jennifer Hayes.

"After a long primary season we wanted to allow Democrats the opportunity to gather locally around this convention," said Lederman, who also serves as Ward 4 Democratic Committee chairman, and who organized the event, "Western Massachusetts activists worked passionately for both Senators Sanders and Secretary Clinton, This event is a great opportunity for unity."

The event offers a "a great gathering of some of the most active Western Mass groups in the Democratic Party," Lederman said.

"We are welcoming folks to come out and learn more about opportunities to get involved," he said.

All 52 apartments in the Morgan Street complex were evacuated when a fire in one unit set off alarms early Sunday.

SPRINGFIELD -- Careless disposal of smoking materials was the cause of a fire that prompted the evacuation of the Morgan Manor apartment complex early Sunday.

All 52 apartments in the Morgan Street complex were evacuated when a fire in one unit set off alarms at about 3 a.m.

Dennis Leger, executive aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, said the fire started in the living room of a first-floor apartment.

That unit was completely gutted, Leger said. He estimated damages at approximately $40,000. Three other units closest to the fire also suffered smoke damage but were otherwise undamaged.

Residents began returning to their apartments about an hour after they were woken by alarms. Leger said the one tenant in the apartment where the fire started would receive help from the American Red Cross.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations confirmed Monday that it's investigating the hack involving Democratic National Committee emails.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI said Monday it is investigating how thousands of Democratic National Committee emails were hacked, a breach that Hillary Clinton's campaign maintains was committed by Russia to benefit Donald Trump.

A statement from the FBI confirmed that it is "investigating a cyber intrusion involving the DNC," adding that "a compromise of this nature is something we take very seriously."

Wikileaks posted emails Friday that suggested the DNC was favoring Clinton over her rival Sen. Bernie Sanders during the primary season, prompting Clinton's campaign to point to a massive hacking of DNC computers in June that cybersecurity firms linked to the Russian government.

Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta added fuel to the debate Monday, saying there was "a kind of bromance going on" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump. The Clinton campaign says Russia favors Trump's views, especially on NATO.

Donald Trump on Monday dismissed as a "joke" claims by Hillary Clinton's campaign that Russia is trying to help Trump by leaking thousands of emails from the Democratic National Committee.

"The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should have never been written (stupid), because Putin likes me," Trump wrote as part of a series of Tweets. "Hillary was involved in the e-mail scandal because she is the only one with judgement (sic) so bad that such a thing could have happened."

The hacking enraged die-hard Sanders supporters who have long claimed that the DNC had its finger on the scale throughout the primaries. The disclosures prompted the resignation of DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on the eve of the party's convention in Philadelphia, where Clinton is expected to officially accept the nomination for president.

It wasn't immediately clear how WikiLeaks received copies of the internal Democratic emails.

Democratic Party officials learned in late April that their systems had been attacked after they discovered malicious software on their computers. A cybersecurity firm they employed found traces of at least two sophisticated hacking groups on the Democrats' network -- both of which have ties to the Russian government. Those hackers took at least one year's worth of detailed chats, emails and research on Donald Trump, according to a person knowledgeable of the breach who wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

State police are reporting a 3-car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike near Exit 6 in Ludlow has closed down all westbound traffic.

An update to this story was posted at 12:24 P.M. Monday.

State police are reporting a 3-car accident on the Massachusetts Turnpike near Exit 6 in Chicopee has closed down all westbound traffic.

The accident, reported shortly after 11 a.m., resulted in minor injuries, police said.
But all westbound lanes have been closed to allow the scene to be cleared.

State police say the road closure should be temporary and all lanes are expected to be reopened once the scene is cleared.

The motor vehicle homicide trial of Brian Perron, 35, of East Longmeadow was postponed until next month.

PALMER — The trial of an East Longmeadow man charged with motor vehicle homicide stemming from a car crash that killed the son of an East Longmeadow town councilor is postponed until next month.

Dan Federici

Brian Perron, 35, was set to stand trial in Palmer District Court Monday for motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation and marked lanes violation. However Judge Michael Mulcahy allowed a joint request from the prosecution and defense to postpone the trial until Aug. 2.

Charges stem from a car crash last July that killed 30-year-old Daniel Federici, son of East Longmeadow Town Council Vice President Paul Federici.

The trial had originally been scheduled to proceed in Palmer District Court on July 13, but Mulcahy allowed it to be postponed when Perron's attorney informed the judge that he just recently received an accident reconstruction report.

Perron was driving with Federici, a Springfield resident, at about 9:30 on the night of July 13, 2015 when the car crashed into a wall on Chestnut Street in East Longmeadow, west of Prospect Street, court records show.

Doctors at Baystate Medical Center treated Perron for non-life threatening injuries, but Federici was pronounced dead at a Springfield hospital.

A toxicology screening found that Perron was not intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Federici was married and the father of three children, according to his obituary.

Attorney General Maura Healey has "not yet" cited anyone as part of a stepped up enforcement of the state's assault weapons ban, targeting "copycat" firearms, she said on Monday.

By ANDY METZGER

PHILADELPHIA - Attorney General Maura Healey has "not yet" cited anyone as part of a stepped up enforcement of the state's assault weapons ban, targeting "copycat" firearms, she said on Monday.

Gun rights activists and Republican lawmakers rallied on Beacon Hill Saturday, resisting the attorney general's plans for a crackdown on copycat weapons.

Speaking to reporters at the Philadelphia hotel where the Massachusetts delegates to the Democratic National Convention are staying, Healey said gun sellers had received the message, and a spike in sales that followed last week's announcement has since subsided.

"The action we took was about closing the loophole, making clear that people understood the law, and making clear that people understood that we were going to enforce the law," Healey said. "The good news is that while sales were up the day of the announcement, sales continued to drop precipitously over the next few days. We continue to monitor sales, but I think what's clear is that gun dealers, gun manufacturers, have gotten the message that this subset of weapons cannot be available under existing law. I'm not creating new law. This is under existing law."

Senator files bill stripping Healey of authority on firearms sales

Gun Owners Action League of Massachusetts Executive Director Jim Wallace said lawmakers have had a chance to add guns to the assault weapons ban.

"These laws were passed in 1998, they were redone in 2004, then they were reviewed in 2014, so the Legislature is already fine with what is going on," Wallace said Wednesday. "What other reason would a person unilaterally decide, I'm going to change the rules overnight?"

Asked about enforcement actions and whether anyone had been cited since the crackdown, Healey said, "Not yet."

Gun owners outraged by Attorney General Maura Healey: 'This has gone national'

The applicants are as follows: Paula Moran, Jeff Charron, Joseph Schmidt, Anne Marley, Mary McCauley, Woody Clift, Rebecca Pease, Linda Sterling, and Eric Johnson

Parents attending the April 8 2014 Belchertown school committee meeting to share their viewsJim Russell photo 

BELCHERTOWN -- The town's school committee and selectmen will have nine candidates to choose from when they fill a school board vacancy at their joint meeting Tuesday night.

The applicants are: Paula Moran, Jeff Charron, Joseph Schmidt, Anne Marley, Mary McCauley, Woody Clift, Linda Sterling, Rebecca Pease, and Eric Johnson.

Richard Fritsch resigned from the committee in June.

Although the seat is an elected position, the vacancy can be filled on an interim basis via a joing vote of the selectmen and school committee; the appointment will be in effect until next year's municipal election.

The July 26 joint meeting at Swift River Elementary School begins at 6 p.m., with a public comment period, then discussion, followed by a vote to select a school committee member.

The break-in at the Berkshire Bank ATM, at 19 Harrison Ave., occurred on July 6 shortly before 11:30 p.m. , Sgt. John Delaney said.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are seeking the public's help as they work to identify a man suspected of breaking into an ATM on Harrison Avenue earlier this month.

The break-in at the Berkshire Bank ATM, at 19 Harrison Ave., occurred on July 6 shortly before 11:30 p.m. , Sgt. John Delaney said.

The suspect broke the door and shattered glass to get in.

Delaney, public information officer for the department, said it's not clear if the suspect used the ATM.

Those with information are asked to call detective Mark Bacon at 413-787=6355.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to "CRIMES," or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."

The area is in the midst of a heat wave.

CHICOPEE - The city will open a cooling center from 1 to 7 p.m. if requests show there is a demand.

People who need help in escaping the heat should contact the Chicopee Police Department at 594-1700 and arrangements will be made to help residents, said Joel McAuliffe, communications director for Mayor Richard J. Kos.

Temperatures today are expected to reach 95 degrees with a heat index of 101. The heat wave is expected to continue through the week with highs reaching 95 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Good Dog Spot will open at 139 King St. in early September, according to owner Elizabeth Staples.

NORTHAMPTON -- A Chicopee business that provides overnight stays and other pet care services is coming to Northampton.

Good Dog Spot will open at 139 King St. in early September, according to owner Elizabeth Staples.

"People really treat dogs like members of their family in Northampton, and that's what we do here," Staples said, adding that many of her clients regularly travel from Northampton to Chicopee.

Good Dog Spot opened in 2007 and now services an average of 50 dogs each day, Staples said. The business also takes care of cats.

The 12,000-square-foot Northampton location -- last occupied by Bare Furniture in 2009 -- will offer a nighttime kennel, doggie "daycare," grooming, a small store and a self-service dog wash.

The self-service wash is a new feature, Staples said. While grooming usually costs around $50, self-service will cost about $25. And all post-wash mess will be cleaned up by employees, she explained.

Good Dog Spot also offers a shuttle services to and from the daycare and kennel, and pet owners can pay extra to watch their pups on a webcam while they're away.

The accident, shortly after 11 a.m., caused the two westbound lanes to be shut down, resulting in traffic backing up for several miles.

State police say the scene of an accident that closed down the westbound lanes of I-91 has been cleared and traffic is flowing again. Republican file photo  

This is an update of a story posted at 11:36 a.m. Monday

CHICOPEE - Massachusetts State Police are reporting the scene of a three-car accident next Exit 6 in the westbound lane has been cleared and traffic again is flowing.

The accident, shortly after 11 a.m., caused the two westbound lanes to be shut down, resulting in traffic backing up for several miles.

The accident resulted in only minor injuries, but the road had to be closed while the vehicles were towed from the scene.

Springfield is continuing to welcome the public to take advantage of cooling centers across the city as relief from the heat wave.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city will continue to provide an assortment of cooling center locations in various neighborhoods on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, July 25-27, due to the ongoing heat wave.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen R. Caulton-Harris listed the following cooling center locations and times.

"It is very important in extreme weather conditions that we afford those in need of assistance, especially our seniors and those dealing with medical challenges, these relief accommodations," Sarno said

The city issued the following warning about heat stress:
Heat stress is a serious condition that poses a health threat to many people, particularly the elderly. Heat stress places a strain on the body, and if the strain becomes too great, it can cause serious and permanent damage, even death. Preventive measures should be taken in order to avoid heat stress.

Certain medical conditions and prescription drugs can make you more vulnerable you more vulnerable to heat stress. Those who have high blood pressure, diabetes, a weak or damaged heart, infection or fever, diarrhea, problems with circulation, skin diseases, sunburn, those who are overweight, or who have had a previous stroke are at a greater risk of falling victim to heat stress. In addition, those who take medication for sleeplessness, high blood pressure, nervousness, depression, or poor circulation are also more susceptible to heat stress. If you fall into either of these categories, consult your doctor of pharmacist for advice.

Loss of appetite, lack of energy, fainting, and cramps are signs that you are losing the battle against heat. Take the appropriate steps to protect yourself.

What you should do if the weather is extremely hot:
* Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
* Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
* Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities. Circulating air can cool the body by increasing the perspiration rate of evaporation.
* Eat well-balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tables unless directed to do so by a physician.
* Drink plenty of water. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
* Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
* Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much as possible.
* Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
* Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
* Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
* Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

Keep your four legged friends safely and comfortably at home during the extreme heat.
* Never leave an animal in a parked car. Car rides can quickly turn deadly as the inside of a car can reach temperatures in excess of 120 degrees in several minutes.
* Bring outdoor animals into cooler areas of your home. If they must stay outside, ensure they have protection from the sun. A dog house does not provide relief or protection from the heat. Access to plenty of shade and cool, potable water is critical to their well being.
* Limit exercise to hours when the sun is down and take it easy or better yet, wait until the heat wave ends. Pets are prone to heat exhaustion just like people. In addition, hot asphalt can burn their feet.
* Animals are susceptible to sunburn. Be sure any topical sunscreen products you use are labeled for use on animals.