Comcast was awarded an $805,800 state grant to build a cable network to 360 premises.

MONTGOMERY -- This tiny Hampden County hilltown could have residential broadband internet service from Comcast within 18 months.

Comcast received an $805,800 grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute to build a cable network in Montgomery, MBI announced this week.

Town officials and Comcast still need to sign a cable franchise agreement. If that goes as planned, Comcast estimates it could have its cable network up and running by the end of 2018.

Comcast has agreed to reach around 96 percent of the town's premises, or 360 homes and businesses. The arrangement was approved by town officials in April.

Unlike 13 rural Massachusetts communities building their own fiber optic networks assisted by state grants, Montgomery's agreement with Comcast won't require local borrowing. Montgomery taxpayers would have had to raise $950,000 for their share of a town-owned network, according to MBI.

"The speed of these projects, removing the need to do a municipal bond, and the overall lowered risk of these public-private partnerships make them the best option for certain towns," said MBI chairman Peter Larkin in a statement.

Last year Comcast won $4 million to extend its cable network in nine towns already "partially served" by cable. A design phase has been completed, and the company will reach 15 percent more homes than it originally agreed to, according to an MBI press release. 

In a prepared statement set to the press by MBI, Sen. Don Humason (R-Westfield) praised the Baker administration, and said broadband in rural towns "has been a long time coming while access to and familiarity with high speed internet has grown increasingly more important in order to thrive in our 21st economy."

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' new recommendations are for women in their 40's at average risk for breast cancer.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which had previously recommended annual mammograms for women in their 40's at average risk for breast cancer, is now advising such women to consult with their health provider before initiating such screening.

Its guideline to clinicians is to offer to start screening at 40 for a woman at average risk, to initiate such screening between 40 and 49 if, after counseling, the patient "desires" it, and to recommend mammograms "by no later than age 50, if patient has not already initiated," and for the screening to be on either an annual, or every-other-year basis, at least through age 75.

The recommendation, published on the organization's website for its clinical members, is a replacement for a 2011 practice bulletin.

The new bulletin notes that preventive screening can yield both benefits, in the form of better health outcomes, as well as "adverse consequences," in the form of anxiety-producing call backs and biopsies that prove to be benign.

It also notes that two of the main risk factors for breast cancer are being born female - 99 percent of breast cancers occur in women - and advanced aging.

Baystate Health surgical oncologist Dr. Holly S. Mason said she felt the approach was more a "change in tone" for the ACOG.

"It still says you can start at 40, but it is trying to recognize that we are not trying to be adamant about telling patients when to start. It reflects other societies (guidelines) as well. Other societies feel more strongly starting at 50, whereas the guidelines we are talking about still emphasis starting at 40, but say you have a discussion," said Mason, director of breast services at Baystate Medical Center.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of medical experts, recommends screening begin every other year at 50 for women at average risk, while the American Cancer Society recommends it begin at 45 for this population and be annual at least through age 54.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends annual mammograms beginning at 40 for women at average risk, and continue unless the presence of severe chronic conditions limits life expectancy to 10 years or less.

"We say 45, but certainly consider starting at 40 if you discuss it with your physician," said Mason, co-director of the Baystate Breast and Wellness Center, about its guidelines for women at average risk that follow those of the American Cancer Society.

"The controversy in screening mammogram is in the average risk patient and not the woman at high risk because they should start at 40. It is the primary care physician who needs to assess risk."

The bulletin lists some of the characteristics associated with increased breast cancer risks, including women with a family history of breast and ovarian cancers or other hereditary breast or ovarian syndrome-associated cancers, like prostate and pancreatic cancer, having a genetic alteration known to give a predisposition for breast cancer, starting periods at an early age, or entering menopause late.

"How we look at risk is changing because we are getting it in the context of genetic testing, and genetic risk is expanding. Every few months we are hearing about new gene mutations associated not only breast cancer but other cancers that we had not previously considered," Mason said.

"It is not just looking at family history for breast and ovarian cancer. There are many cancers that indicate that someone is at high risk based on family history and it is the beginning of better understanding of that."  

The nuanced bulletin reflects the importance of each woman being assessed for her risks for the disease, being informed about the relative benefits and harms of preventative screenings and any associated tests, and being comfortable with her personal decision - after a discussion with her healthcare provider of the various options and possibly genetic counseling - of when to initiate screening if she is at average risk and how often to be screened.

"It comes down to the patient deciding what their level of anxiety about what breast cancer is versus having the initial testing and there is no perfect answer to the controversy," said Mason of how a woman, in her 40's, at average risk for breast cancer decides when to initiate screening.

Teams from Western Massachusetts, Vermont and New York raced down the Connecticut River, taking part in a 2,000-year-old traditional sport that got its start in China. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - The fifth annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival drew hundreds of spectators to North Riverfront Park in the North End on Saturday to cheer on teams from around the Northeast.

Twenty teams from Western Massachusetts, Vermont and New York raced down the Connecticut River, taking part in a 2,000-year-old traditional sport that got its start in China.

Each 20-person team participated in three 200-meter races. Proceeds from the day-long festival support the work of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club.

In addition to Dragon Boat races, the festival featured family-friendly performances, music, food, vendors and children's activities like face painting.

An Albany, N.Y.-based team called Hope In The Boat featured two dozen breast cancer survivors. After their second race, they threw roses into the water in memory of those who have lost the battle with cancer.

Ellen Schell said the team members joined for the exercise and camaraderie. They practice on the Mohawk River near the town of Latham.

"Having breast cancer can be a very, very lonely thing, even if you have family helping you through it," said Schell. "All of us know what it's like. ... The best part of (racing) is we have a hell of a lot of fun."

A team representing CRRC MA, the Chinese rail car builder opening a new factory in the city, said the day was about team-building and engaging with the community.

"We didn't do any training. ... This was Rowing 101," said Bobby Doyle, a consultant working with CRRC, with a laugh. "We won our first meet, though!"

Sponsors for Saturday's event included the Springfield Cultural Council, Baystate Health Rays of Hope, Bach Towing, Mountain River Taiko and Health New England. DJ Les Couture provided music. Mascots of the Springfield Thunderbirds and Springfield Technical Community College gave out fist bumps and took photos with families.

A Canadian club called 22 Dragons supplied boats, paddles and life jackets.

"Our mission is to connect the community to the Connecticut River," said Ben Quick, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club. "(The racers) love that they can enjoy a great team-building event and support programs that help our local youth and adults get fit."

The city just closed on 114 acres between Burt's Pit and Florence roads.

NORTHAMPTON -- With last week's purchase of the 114-acre Burts Bog Greenway, and another 32 acres teed up for acquisition, the city's protected open space now exceeds a full quarter of its nearly 223,000 acres.

Burt's Bog represents "some of the most valuable habitat in the city," said Mayor David Narkewicz. The land extends from Burt's Pit Road to Florence Road, and will eventually host an extension of the Manhan Rail Trail to Woods and Sandy Hill roads.

The conservation deal created ten new building lots on three acres, so will yield a net increase in property taxes, according to Planning and Sustainability Director Wayne Feiden. Three of the lots are set aside for affordable homes.

"This year, on Burts Pit Road and in other projects, we are increasing the availability of land for housing and generating new tax revenue, even as we create more conservation and parks," said Feiden in a statement.

Feiden has been a longtime champion of targeted land conservation.

His work over the years has led to the creation of the Fitzgerald Lake conservation area, woodlands protecting Broad Brook and Beaver Brook, protected forest habitat within the Sawmill and Mineral Hills, and ongoing projects such as the Mill River and Connecticut River greenways.

The effort has been aided by Massachusetts Audubon Society, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Friends of Northampton Recreation, Kestrel Land Trust, the Broad Brook Coalition, Grow Food Northampton, and other organizations. In addition, private individuals have contributed.

In a press release, Narkewicz gave credit to the city's Conservation Commission, Office of Planning and Sustainability, Parks and Recreation Department, Community Preservation Committee, and City Council. The Department of Public Works also oversees significant watershed protection land in Northampton, Williamsburg and Whately.

The protected properties include city, state, federal, and non-profit parks, recreation and conservation areas, and privately-owned working forest and farmland. Trail maps are available on the city's website.

It was May 26, a day when the high temperature outside Randolph's home in Weatherford, Texas, reached 96 degrees, according to police records.

On the day her two children were found dead, Cynthia Marie Randolph recounted for investigators a mother's nightmare: She had been folding laundry and watching television while her young daughter and son, ages 2 and 16 months, played in an enclosed sun room on the back porch.

Randolph, 24, went to check on her children after about a half-hour - but they were "gone," she told police. She said that after a half-hour of searching, she finally spotted their bodies, unresponsive, inside her 2010 Honda Crosstour parked in her driveway.

It was May 26, a day when the high temperature outside Randolph's home in Weatherford, Texas, reached 96 degrees, according to police records.

Medics pronounced both children dead at the scene, authorities said.

According to the Parker County Sheriff's Office, when asked how long the children might have been exposed to the high temperatures inside the car, Randolph responded immediately: "No more than an hour."

Less than a month after the tragedy, Randolph has been arrested after her original explanation for her children's deaths unraveled. Through multiple interviews with investigators over the past month, Randolph "created several variations of the events" of May 26, police said.

In a final interview with investigators Friday, Randolph described an entirely different timeline for what happened that day - one that began much earlier in the afternoon than she had previously admitted.

At about 12:15 p.m., Randolph said she had found her children playing inside her car and ordered them to come out, police said.

"Stop your s-t," Randolph said she told her 2-year-old daughter, according to police.

"When they refused to exit, Randolph told police she shut the car door to teach Juliet a lesson, thinking she could get herself and her brother out of the car when ready," a probable cause affidavit for the incident stated. "The defendant went inside the house, smoked marijuana and took a nap. The defendant said she was asleep for two or three hours."

It was only after her nap that Randolph found her children unresponsive inside the Honda Crosstour, police said. Randolph further told investigators that she broke the car window so that it would look like an accident, police said.

Randolph was charged Friday with two first-degree felony counts of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. She is being held at the Parker County Jail on a $200,000 bond, records show. A sheriff's spokeswoman did not immediately return a call Saturday afternoon, and jail records do not list an attorney for Randolph.

Over the past two decades, more than 700 children have died of heatstroke while in hot cars, said Jan Null, a meteorologist who compiles and keeps track of the data on noheatstroke.org.

"Every one of these can be prevented," Null told The Washington Post last year.

Null said more than half of the incidents occurred because a child had been "forgotten" by a caregiver. About 28 percent of those deaths were because a child had been playing in an unattended vehicle. About 17 percent of the deaths resulted because a child was intentionally left inside a vehicle by an adult, Null's site states.

The National Safety Council says that unintentionally leaving a child inside a car "can happen to anyone."

"Maybe it's an overworked parent who forgets to drop off their child at day care, or a relative who thinks the child will be okay 'for just a few minutes,' " says an NSC pamphlet on the issue.

The group advises parents to put something they will need by their child's car seat - a purse, wallet or phone, for example - as an additional reminder to check the back.

"Remember, children overheat four times faster than adults," says a message on the council's website. "A child is likely to die when his body temperature reaches 107 degrees, and that can happen in minutes."

Those who see a child alone in a car are advised to call 911 immediately or even break into the car during an emergency, the group said, noting that many states have good Samaritan laws.

(c) 2017 The Washington Post. Amy B. Wang wrote this story.

A mother and her two children were displaced as the result of an apartment fire in Springfield on Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD - A woman and her two children have been displaced after a fire broke out at an apartment in Springfield's Forest Park neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. 

Firefighters responded to a residence at 155 White St. at approximately 3:57 p.m. after reports of a fire at that location, said Dennis Leger, spokesman for the Springfield Fire Department. 

Leger said nobody was injured and that the fire was put out relatively quickly, but that the woman and her children will now have to find a new place to live. 

Leger said the building suffered an estimated $80,000 in damages. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation but looks accidental, Leger said. 

Officials and city residents attended a black tie gala at the new Springfield Union Station Saturday night, celebrating the structure's grand reopening.

SPRINGFIELD - Dressed in tuxedos and extravagant dresses, crowds of people flocked into the heavily decorated interior of the newly renovated Springfield Union Station Saturday evening, celebrating the building's grand reopening after a long interim of dormancy.  

For years, the station sat largely unused, falling into disuse in the 1970s when the popularity of rail travel declined. Yet after a long period of redevelopment it will finally open its doors to the public again. 

With $94 million in floor-to-ceiling renovations, the new station has been resurrected, converted into an intermodal transit hub that offers service from Amtrak and Connecticut's commuter rail system to New Haven and New York City, as well as local and long-distance bus service.

Saturday night's black tie gala saw hundreds of city residents come out to celebrate with an evening of dancing, drink, dinner, and speeches from a number of the prominent state and local officials who made the station's new life possible. 

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, who have both played influential roles in bringing the station back into functional use, were present Saturday. Also present was former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, as well as a number of other prominent local community members such as WWLP President and General Manager William Pepin. 

One of the more anticipated moments of the night, however, were remarks made by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who attended the event and spoke glowingly about the revitalized station and what it meant for Springfield. 

"I wanted to be here to have an opportunity to congratulate all of you--especially the congressman and the mayor--for all the work the people have done to pull this one off," Baker said.

"This is truly a wonderful accomplishment, and a great seminal moment for the City of Springfield and the community of Western Massachusetts," Baker continued.   

"We are very excited about the work we're doing here with the folks in Springfield," Baker said, concluding by thanking city officials for the invitation to the event.   

There were a number of other speeches Saturday night, including ones from Mayor Sarno and Rep. Neal.

Sarno complimented Neal for his commitment to the new station, throughout the years. "Through the ebbs and flows, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations, Richie always kept his eye on the ball for the City of Springfield and his district," Sarno said.  

It was an especially emotional moment for Neal, who has been a "driving force" behind the project for years--lobbying for state, federal, and local funding to make the new station a reality. 

Speaking Saturday night, Neal commented on the important symbolic role the station has had for the city throughout its history. "When you look at the seal of our city it has the meeting house, it has the armory, it has the river, and it has Union Station--the railroad," he said. 

Neal said the the station made an indelible impression on him when he was younger, when he visited it with his grandmother during the structure's heyday; that impression stuck with him as he pushed, for years, to assure that the transportation hub would one day be of use to the public again.  

If ever there was a story of renewal and redemption, "this is it," Neal said, concluding his remarks to applause.  

The festivities surrounding the station's grand reopening are set to continue Sunday, with a reception for the hundreds of contractors who worked to restore Union Station to its "original glory," along with their families. Later Sunday the station will be opened to the public with a period of family-friendly activities.

State Police are looking for a driver who struck a highway worker on Thursday night.

FALL RIVER - Massachusetts State Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the driver of a car that struck a highway worker in Fall River and then sped off without stopping on Thursday night. 

Police say that the worker, a 57-year-old woman employed with a traffic safety company, was working in the northbound lane of Route 24 just north of Route 195, in Fall River, when she was struck by a vehicle.

The car sped off without stopping, police said.

The woman suffered "serious" injuries and had to be taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening, police said.

Police did not provide a description of the vehicle. 

If anyone has any information regarding this crash, they have been encouraged to contact State Police at 508-993-8373.

State Police are looking for a driver who struck a highway worker on Thursday night.

FALL RIVER - Massachusetts State Police are asking for the public's help in identifying the driver of a car that struck a highway worker in Fall River and then sped off without stopping on Thursday night. 

Police say that the worker, a 57-year-old woman employed with a traffic safety company, was working in the northbound lane of Route 24 just north of Route 195, in Fall River, when she was struck by a vehicle.

The car sped off without stopping, police said.

The woman suffered "serious" injuries and had to be taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening, police said.

Police did not provide a description of the vehicle. 

If anyone has any information regarding this crash, they have been encouraged to contact State Police at 508-993-8373.

An off-duty black St. Louis police officer's race factored into him being mistakenly shot by a white officer who didn't recognize him after a shootout with black suspects this week, the wounded officer's lawyer contended Saturday.

ST. LOUIS -- An off-duty black St. Louis police officer's race factored into him being mistakenly shot by a white officer who didn't recognize him after a shootout with black suspects this week, the wounded officer's lawyer contends.

The 38-year-old black officer was off duty Wednesday when he heard a commotion near his home and ran toward it with his service weapon to try to help his fellow officers, police said.

When the off-duty officer who lived nearby heard the commotion and arrived at the scene Wednesday night to help, two on-duty officers ordered him to the ground but then recognized him and told him to stand up and walk toward them. As he was doing so, another officer arrived and shot the off-duty officer "apparently not recognizing" him, police said.

The police department as of Saturday hadn't disclosed the names of the officers, who have been placed on routine administrative leave as the matter is investigated.

The black officer's lawyer, Rufus J. Tate Jr., discussed the shooting with St. Louis Fox affiliate KTVI, but the officer isn't named in that report.

Black off-duty St. Louis officer shot by white officer https://t.co/OArvoedtTR pic.twitter.com/tRlRifzQkP

-- FOX2now (@FOX2now) June 24, 2017

Tate told the station that his client identified himself to the on-duty officers at the scene and complied with their commands. The lawyer questioned the white officer's account to police that he shot the off-duty officer because he feared for his safety.

"In the police report you have so far, there is no description of a threat he received. So we have a real problem with that. But this has been a national discussion for the past two years. There is this perception that a black man is automatically feared," Tate said.

Tate did not reply to several phone messages from The Associated Press seeking comment Saturday.

Police described the black officer as an 11-year department veteran and said he was treated at a hospital and released. The officer who shot him is 36 and has been with the department more than eight years.

It was in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson where a white officer shot an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown, three years ago, setting off months of protests, some of which were violent. The officer, who later left the force, wasn't charged, which further strained relations between the area's black community and the police.

View obituaries from The Republican newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Eight people were arrested as they protected the natural gas pipeline project through the Otic State Forest in Sandisfield. Most of those arrested are from Hampshire County.

Dave Canton | dcanton@repub.com 

SANDISFIELD - Eight people were arrested Saturday as police said they trespassed into a restricted area of the Kinder Morgan pipeline construction site in the Otis State Forest during a demonstration. 

The demonstration was one of a string of protests against the 4-mile extension of a natural gas pipeline through the state park area to connect two existing pipelines. 

In a written statement, the Massachusetts State Police said the demonstration was peaceful and arrests were made without incident.  

Arrested at the construction site were: Eric Burcross,57, of Plainfield, Dennis Carr, 59, of Cummington, Francis Crowe, 98, of Northampton, Ellen Graves, 76, of West Springfield, Priscilla Lynch, 65, of Conway, Constance Harvard, 69, of Northampton, Elizabeth Ramirez, 47, of Holyoke and Laura Simon, 63, of Wilder, Vermont.   

All of the arrestees were taken to the Berkshire County Jail for booking and then released. They will be arraigned in Southern Berkshire District Court in Great Barrington Monday. 

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez said he will be a "governor for the whole state" and pledged to focus on issues important to Western Massachusetts residents if elected.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Gonzalez said he will be a "governor for the whole state" and pledged to focus on issues important to Western Massachusetts residents if elected.

The 46-year-old Needham resident, who left his job as president and CEO of CeltiCare Health and New Hampshire Healthy Families in December to launch his campaign, said he's committed to doing everything possible to address the needs of people living in the western part of the state.

"I understand that people in Western Mass. legitimately feel that they've been ignored and their interests are often ignored in state government and by folks in Boston," he said in an interview. "I intend to be the governor of the entire state."

Gonzalez, who was the secretary of administration and finance under former Gov. Deval Patrick, said he plans to promote policies to make early childhood education more affordable and accessible, as well as push for greater investments in transportation systems across the state -- like efforts to bring high-speed rail to Springfield.

By speeding up the commute between the Western Massachusetts city and Boston, for example, the state could address housing affordability, jobs and population issues, the Democrat contended.

"We talk about affordable housing as a big problem in the Greater Boston area, but we have plenty of affordable housing in Western Massachusetts and other parts of the state. If we had transportation system that made it a commute to get to the many job opportunities that exist in the Greater Boston area ... that's a win-win," he said. "We need to be thinking bigger. We need to be honest about the fact that we need to invest more in our transportation system."

Gonzalez, who noted that his wife is from Chicopee, said he hopes to demonstrate his commitment to residents living in Western Massachusetts through repeated visits and face-to-face conversations with local voters. 

Jay Gonzalez, former Deval aide, speaks in Longmeadow about run for Governor

"I'm committed to actually being physically present and engaging with people in Western Mass. and all over this state. ... Aside from that I also want to do everything I can to address the needs of people in Western Massachusetts, as is the case for everywhere else in the state, to help address the challenges they're facing on a day-to-day basis," he said.

The gubernatorial hopeful noted that he has visited the region nearly a dozen times since January, including speeches before the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee in early April and in Longmeadow in mid-February.

Gonzalez acknowledged that his policy agenda is largely similar to those of other Democrats that have launched 2018 gubernatorial runs. But he said he believes his experience, particularly in Patrick's administration, sets him apart from his rivals.

"It's fine for us to all want to do big things and make progress on big issues that are holding people back, but we actually need to be able to deliver on them," he said. "I have a record of working in a leadership position in state government with the legislature and other key stakeholders to get big things done."

The Democrat further contended that his track record in management makes him the best candidate to go up against incumbent Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

Who can beat Gov. Charlie Baker?: Candidates make their cases at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention in Worcester

"I'm very proud of my record of managing while I was in a leadership position in state government. I'll put my record up against Charlie Baker's any day of the week," he said.

Fellow Democrats Setti Warren, the mayor of Newton, and Robert K. Massie, an environmentalist and entrepreneur, have also launched 2018 gubernatorial runs.

Baker has yet to announce if will seek a second term, although it is widely assumed that he will run again.

The election will take place on Nov. 6, 2018.

The leader of MS-13's East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique, Santos Portillo Andrade, appears to be heading to prison for 10 years after he recently pleaded guilty to assault, drug and firearms charges in federal court.

The leader of MS-13's East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique, Santos Portillo Andrade, appears to be heading to prison for 10 years after he recently pleaded guilty to assault, drug and firearms charges in federal court. 

Andrade, also known as "Flaco", pleaded guilty Friday in federal court to conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity, more commonly referred to as RICO conspiracy, and admitted to attacking an individual he believed was a rival gang member in Malden in December 2008. 

The 33-year-old from Revere also pleaded guilty to heroin and cocaine distribution charges and a firearms charge. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 26. The plea deal would send Andrade to federal prison for 10 years with four years of supervised release when he get out, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. 

Andrade was one of 61 people caught in a sting involving the leaders and members of MS-13. 

"Portillo was the leader of the East Boston Loco Salvatrucha clique of MS-13. According to court documents, MS-13 is a violent transnational criminal organization whose branches or 'cliques' operate throughout the United States, including Massachusetts," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "MS-13 members are required to commit acts of violence against rival gang members to gain promotions and maintain membership and discipline within the group. Specifically, MS-13 members are required to attack and murder rival gang members whenever possible."

Former Springfield City Councilor Timothy Ryan has launched a campaign to recapture his at-large seat after a 14-year absence. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - Former City Councilor Timothy Ryan announced his return to the campaign trail last week, saying he will run for an at-large seat on the council that he once held for a decade.

"I have the ability to step in, Day 1, and to assist in continuing to move the city forward," Ryan said during his campaign kickoff Thursday at the John Boyle O'Reilly Club. "You do it by paying attention, you do it by listening, you do it by working with others. You're not going to get anywhere by insulting, ridiculing, getting into gratuitous fights. The issue and the reason I am running is let's keep the city moving forward."

Ryan, a Springfield lawyer and a lifelong resident of the city, served for five consecutive two-year terms on the council, from 1994-2003. He decided not to seek re-election that year. In addition, he served nearly two years on the former Police Commission.

Supporters on hand Thursday included Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni, Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Clerk of Courts Laura S. Gentile and numerous current and former elective office holders, along with friends and family.

Gulluni, in introductory comments, praised Ryan and his family, saying they have a history of public service and of standing up for Springfield. Ryan is the son of former longtime Mayor Charles V. Ryan, who was among the attendees.

"I'm honored to support him," Gulluni said of Timothy Ryan.

Ryan and his wife, Maureen, have five adult children. Ryan said he returns to the campaign trail after a 14-year absence during which time he was able to have more time to watch his children grow up.

He recalled the city's past, when there were financial crises and major layoffs of city employees.

"We have to continue to work together to make sure those bad days, those unfortunate days, those dark days that drive people away from Springfield don't happen," Ryan said. "So we want to work in a positive manner so you project the good of Springfield, so people realize this is a community worth living in. There are so many great people and it's something we can all be part of."

During his years on the City Council, Ryan said he worked on and supported positive economic development projects, including the creation of the Basketball Hall of Fame and improvements at Smith & Wesson. In addition, he said he was focused on city finances and was a leading voice in supporting the city's branch library system.

Ryan said, if elected, he will work with the mayor, Police Commissioner John Barbieri and others to make sure the Police Department is as good, and as professional, as possible.

He also said he will work to reduce blight in Springfield and for the rehabilitation of neighborhoods.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said he planned on appealing a judge's decision to vacate the murder conviction for New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and he has stayed true to his word.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said he planned on appealing a judge's decision to vacate the murder conviction for New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez and he has stayed true to his word. 

CBS Boston reports the district attorney's office filed an appeal and is asking a single justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court to overturn a judge's decision to vacate Hernandez's murder conviction in the case involving the death of Odin Lloyd. 

The appeal, filed last week, states Hernandez gave up his right to appeal when he killed himself. The murder conviction should stand, the district attorney's office argues in the appeal. 

Prosecutors are also asking the SJC to abolish the loophole in the law that allowed for Hernandez's murder conviction to be vacated, the Boston Globe reports. 

Quinn released a statement after a judge, in May, vacated the murder conviction for the killing of Lloyd. 

"On April 19, 2017 Aaron Hernandez deliberately, consciously and voluntarily chose to end his life," he said then. "He died a guilty man and a convicted murderer. This fact is indisputable. He should not be able to accomplish in death, what he could not have accomplished in life." 

The district attorney called the loophole an "antiquated rule" that has been rejected by other state and federal courts across the country. Massachusetts needs to join that list, Quinn said. 

"To allow the defendant to exploit this outdated rule in Massachusetts undermines confidence in the fair administration of justice, and the victim's and the community's right to the integrity and respect of a jury's verdict," he said in his statement. 

Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole in 2015 for the murder in 2013 of Odin Lloyd. In April, he was acquitted of murder in a separate trial in which he was charged with the 2012 killings of Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado. 

He committed suicide in April, just days after he was acquitted. The 27-year-old former football star was in custody at the Souza-Baranowski Correction Center in Shirley.

Lawmakers have proposed a bill to change a law that would prevent inmates from having their records wiped clean after committing suicide while they have an appeal pending. Hernandez appealed the murder conviction in the Lloyd case before his suicide.

None of the Level 3 sex offenders are wanted by police and it is illegal to harass an offender.

NORTHAMPTON - The Police Department is notifying residents that a Level 3 sex offender is residing in the the community.

The man is identified as Angelo Joseph Hensley, 36. He is living at 129 King St., Northampton Detective Sgt. Victor Caputo said.

Hensley is described as white, about 5 feet 1 inches tall, with a slim build weighing about 160 pounds. His hair is black, he has a thick beard and his eyes are brown, police said.

He was convicted in 2004 of dissemination of harmful materials to minors, police said.

Level 3 sex offenders are the most likely to re-offend and are required to register with the local department every year. The information is particularly disseminated to youth organizations and organizations that may come into contact with the offender, Caputo said. 

None of the Level 3 offenders are wanted by police. It is also illegal to harass an offender, police said.

A Cape Cod couple's children and their babysitter had just got out of the family SUV when it burst into flames even though the engine was off.

A Cape Cod couple's children and their babysitter had just got out of the family SUV when it burst into flames even though the engine was off. 

Ursula and Tom Daley told WCVB News that their babysitter took their children out in the family 2015 GMC Yukon Denali then returned to their Dennis home Friday for lunch. 

About five minutes after getting out, the SUV was engulfed in flames. 

Ursula posted pictures of the destruction on Facebook. 

"Everyone is safe," she wrote. "But wow - super scary. Kids had literally stepped out of the car minutes before." 

The SUV wasn't running at the time. Fire officials told the couple the cause of the fire appears to be electrical. 

"It was our Yukon Denali," Ursula said on Facebook when someone asked what happened. "Just exploded." 

Tom told WCVB News that they have since contacted the dealership where they bought the vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists several complaints from owners about the Denali's electrical system, but the complaints do not state that any of the reported problems caused a fire.

Another vehicle was also damaged in the fire. 

The suspect allegedly jumped out a car, ran across Interstate 91 and hid in the brush off Whiting Farms Road.

HOLYOKE - A Chicopee man was arrested Sunday morning following a chase that ended when a State Police K-9 tracked the man down in the brush off Whiting Farms Road.

David Dumont, 30, was arrested on a warrant and disorderly conduct at about 9:40 a.m. Sunday. More charges could be added later, Holyoke Police Lt. Michael McCoy said.

Police initially responded to call of a man armed with a knife allegedly attacking a woman on Leary Drive. When officers arrived, the suspect left and the car he was riding in turned onto Interstate 91, he said.

When police pulled the car over, the suspect allegedly  jumped out of the passenger seat, ran across the highway and fled into the wooded area near the Cracker Barrel restaurant on Whiting Farms Road, he said.

With the help of a State Police trooper and dog, police searched the area and eventually found the suspect in the brush off the highway, he said.

Police are currently interviewing the possible victim, he said.

Police initially had difficulty finding the boy's name and could not located his family.

CHICOPEE - Police and the state Department of Children and Families are investigating after a 4-year-old boy was found naked and alone in a parking lot of a downtown store Saturday evening.

"He is safe," Police Sgt. Brett Nichols said.

The child was found at about 6 p.m., Saturday in the parking lot of the Family Dollar on 209 Exchange St., Nichols said.

The Department of Children and Families was notified and the mother was eventually located, he said.

Police initially had difficulty finding out the boy's name and his address, according to Western Mass News.