The Gray House is inviting the public to an international tasting at the Munich Haus in Chicopee that will

CHICOPEE -- The Gray House is inviting the public to attend a "Fill the Plate, Feed a Family" fundraiser, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Munich Haus, to benefit the organization's food pantry.

The "International Tasting" event begins at 5:30 p.m., at the Chicopee Center restaurant, and is sponsored by the Chicopee Savings Bank Foundation.

The Gray House, in its announcement, thanked the Munich Haus for donating the food and space in its Biergarten to help the group's month-long fundraising drive.

There will be a cash bar, an international bake sale provided by Branford Hall Culinary Department, and raffle prizes.

A representative of the Gray House said the nonprofit human service agency, located in the North End of Springfield, is optimistic that it will meet its goal of raising $20,000 through the month of September. The Gray House provides a food pantry, adult education programs and after-school and summer youth programming serving over 8,000 people annually.

At-large Springfield at-large City Council candidates Timothy Ryan and Kelli Moriarty-Finn said that more must be done to inspire voter turnout.

SPRINGFIELD -- Two candidates for City Council have called for stronger efforts to bring out the vote in Springfield, including a suggestion for public debates, following a preliminary election last Tuesday that generated a voter turnout of just 5.4 percent.

In separate statements, at-large council candidates Tim Ryan and Kelli Moriarty-Finn voiced their disappointment in the very low voter turnout last Tuesday, which was the lowest in recent history for a citywide election.

Ryan issued a request that local media host a series of City Council debates or forums "to prompt greater visibility and participation in the local Springfield elections."

"The community needs to do a better job enlightening and engaging the voters," Ryan said.

Moriarty-Finn said she would like to see every current and potential City Council member come up with a plan "for engaging their constituents on a regular basis, not just during the election cycles."

"Voter apathy is a serious problem in general, but particularly so right here in Springfield," Moriarty-Finn said. "The question is, why aren't they (voting), and what causes this overall lack of interest?"

Ryan said reasons for the very low turnout may have included the lack of a mayor's race, and the lack of ward races in several wards, "but there still was an obvious disconnect" in the very low turnout

"The local media, in all its forms, television, radio, print, and digital have a significant role to play in helping to focus on the relevant issues and hearing answers from the various candidates to pertinent questions," Ryan said.

He urged the media to sponsor up to three debates featuring the City Council, possibly in connection with the city and local colleges.

The city and residents benefit from greater voter engagement and participation, Ryan said.

"I am sure the City Council candidates will reach out and continue their private media and door-to-door campaigns," he said. "However, the city and the voters would benefit from a series of programs sponsored and hosted by the local media focusing on the City Council race, and the vision and background of the various candidates."

Moriarty-Finn said Springfield is a large, diverse community with different needs, "but at the end of the day we all want the same thing: a safe, vibrant Springfield, full of opportunity for all residents."

"It's time voters took a a good hard look at the role they play in helping us get there," she said.

"As a candidate who has spent months campaigning and speaking with citizens across the city, I must admit it's a bit disappointing to know that less than 6 percent of registered voters took part in the preliminary process. Another one hundred thousand did not," Moriarty-Finn said.

There were 5,726 ballots cast last Tuesday, out of 106,182 registered voters, according to the Election Commission. The general election is Nov. 7.

There were at-large races for City Council and School Committee on the preliminary ballot, but just three ward races for council out of eight wards and one district race for School Committee out of four districts.

"I've heard about the challenges with absentee ballots, lack of convenient polling locations, not knowing about the election in general, etc.," Moriarty-Finn said. "It's easy to place blame, but how much do these truly contribute toward a poor turnout? Do residents of Springfield truly realize the high price they pay for not taking part in the voting process?"

The turnout does appear to increase when there are mayoral, state and presidential elections, Moriarty-Finn said.

However, many of the decisions that impact residents directly "are made at the local level, where voter turnout is the lowest," Moriarty-Finn said.

"People need to remember that all politics are local," she said. "Additionally, many of the communities in Springfield needing quality of life improvements the most have an even lower turnout. This is something that needs to change, as their needs are often under-represented when legislative and policy decisions are made."

Moriarty-Finn asked if it is time to hit the "reset button" by performing a comprehenseive review of the election process. 

"From public safety, to our public schools, to various quality of life issues, it's clear people want change and improvement," Moriarty-Finn said. "Yet, when voters have the opportunity to elect people who can actually affect that change, few take the opportunity to do so."

In addition, she said elected officials have to do a better job of informing residents about the issues and challenges faced by the city, and focus heavily on voter engagement "so that everyone can become part of this city's revival."

A Massachusetts family is in mourning after a father of two was killed following a fatal bee attack.

A Massachusetts family is in mourning after a father of two was killed following a fatal bee attack. 

Eric Dahl was blowing leaves in his Foxborough yard on Saturday when a hive of bees swarmed, his family told The Sun Chronicle. 

He was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. 

The 48-year-old was in great health - had run six miles earlier in the day, his wife told the Chronicle - and had shown no past allergies to insect stings. 

"Eric was an active and dedicated father and husband who cherished his family," his obituary states. "His favorite time was spent with his family at the beach. Eric was famous for his beach set-ups which included American Flags and numerous beach games."

Dahl leaves behind his wife, Alison, and two daughters, 14-year-old Emma and 12-year-old Casey.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, lauded House lawmakers this week for backing legislation that would create a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame commemorative coin in honor of the sport's 125th anniversary.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, lauded House lawmakers this week for backing legislation that would create a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame commemorative coin in honor of the sport's 125th anniversary. 

Neal, who co-sponsored the bill with U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Kentucky, said the proposed coin would pay homage to the game of basketball, which James Naismith created at a Springfield YMCA gymnasium in 1891.

"I have long been a supporter of the Hall of Fame and the great work that they do in the greater Springfield area. They are a terrific organization that works tirelessly to preserve the history and educate people about this truly American game," he said in a statement. "The Basketball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin is the ideal way for the legacy of these great athletes and coaches to be remembered for decades to come."

The Springfield Democrat called the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, which originally opened in 1968 at Springfield College and has since moved to the banks of the Connecticut River, one of the many gems in Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District.

Barr also praised the House's Monday passage of the legislation on a voice vote, adding that he hopes it will see similar support in the U.S. Senate soon.

"As the Representative of central and eastern Kentucky, home to the greatest tradition in the history of college basketball and several members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, I am proud that this legislation has now passed the House," he said in a statement.

John L. Doleva, the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame president and CEO, said his organization is honored and grateful for the strong support the commemorative coin act garnered in the U.S. House. 

The legislation, he added, will allow the Basketball Hall of Fame to continue educating fans worldwide about the game and its history.

"A game created in Springfield, Massachusetts has become a global phenomenon and truly a universal language of community, diversity and sportsmanship," he said in a statement. "The Hall of Fame thanks Congressmen Richard E. Neal and Andy Barr for their unwavering support as we celebrate the game that has captured the imagination of fans and players around the globe."

The legislation calls on the Treasury Department to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 coins and 750,000 half-dollar coins in honor of the Springfield landmark. 

It further states that the proposed coins be in the shape of a dome and feature the depiction of a basketball. The treasury will hold a competition to determine the rest of the design, which must be emblematic of the game of basketball, according to the bill's description.

Neal's office noted that the proposed commemorative coins would come with no cost to the American taxpayers, with the surcharges on them used to further the museum's curation efforts. Proceeds from the proposed coins would further benefit education programs that promote good sportsmanship and respect on and off the court, it added.

The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, where U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, and John McCain, R-Arizona, are co-sponsors. 

Belchertown Police Officer Michael Beaupre was promoted to Sergeant, and Sgt. Kevin Pacunas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant

BELCHERTOWN -- The Board of Selectmen at Monday's meeting unanimously approved the promotions of two officers that were recommended by the police chief.

Officer Michael Beaupre was promoted to Sergeant, and Sgt. Kevin Pacunas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

Prior to the board's vote, Police Chief Christopher Pronovost told the board: "Both of these fellows will do an outstanding job ... for the town of Belchertown."

Pronovost, when he was sworn in as the town's new chief in May of 2016, said he would work to improve the force.

"We had a little bit of a void in our rank structure," the chief said at Monday's meeting.

The promotions are "going to add more supervision and accountability," he said.

Selectman Ronald Aponted made the motion to promote Beaupre and Pacunas, saying "it is my honor and privilege."

The appointments took effect immediately once the board approved them.

Both officers then briefly addressed the selectmen and members of the public in attendance, including many members of the force.

"Thank you, chief," Pacunas said. He then thanked the board for supporting the department.

"I am extremely honored," Beaupre said.

The board's chairwoman, Brenda Aldrich said, "We are very honored you choose to serve our town."

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and more than a dozen other members of the House Ways and Means committee met with President Donald Trump Tuesday to discuss the Republican's plan to overhaul the U.S. tax system.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, and more than a dozen other members of the House Ways and Means committee met with President Donald Trump Tuesday to discuss the Republican's plan to overhaul the U.S. tax system.

Neal, the top Democrat on the powerful tax-writing committee, Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and a bipartisan group of panel lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut, attended the morning White House meeting on tax system changes -- an issue congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration have pledged to focus on in the coming months. 

Neal spokesman William Tranghese confirmed the Springfield Democrat's attendance at the White House meeting with Trump, but did not provide specifics on what tax-related issues may be discussed at the sit down. 

Trump announced late last month that his administration's plan to overhaul the U.S. tax system would be based on four main principles: simplifying the tax code; cutting corporate tax rates; providing tax relief for middle class Americans; and bringing back wealth kept overseas.

The president has called for eliminating loopholes that benefit wealthy Americans and special interests and lowering the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 15 percent -- a rate which he has argued would make the U.S. "highly competitive" with foreign rivals. 

He further argued in favor of lowering taxes for middle income Americans and helping parents afford child care, as well as making it less punitive for corporations to bring that money back to America.

President Trump, congressional Republicans finalizing tax plan that would slash the corporate rate

A plan being worked on by the White House and congressional Republicans, however, would likely cut the tax rate for the wealthiest Americans from 39.6 to 35 percent, reduce the top tax for corporations from 35 to 20 percent and simplify the system by cutting the number of income brackets from seven to three, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.

Neal, who met with the president in February on trade-related issues, has raised concerns about Trump's pledge to help middle class Americans and his commitment to bipartisanship. 

President Donald Trump pushes plan to overhaul US tax system, US Rep. Richard Neal says Democrats ready to work on 'real' reform

Although the congressman has repeatedly said he's open to making some changes to the U.S. tax system, he's stressed that he will vehemently oppose any effort to offer tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.

Democrats, Neal recently said, believe it's time to act on a comprehensive overhaul plan and are ready to work with the GOP on "real tax reform that provides tax relief and expands opportunities for middle class families, closes the skills gap and promotes middle class job growth."

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

The Trump administration has tried to blunt criticism that its response to Hurricane Maria has fallen short of its efforts in Texas and Florida.

After an aggressive fox lunged and repeatedly bit a person walking in North Adams on Sunday, city police reported having found and killed the animal.

After an aggressive fox lunged and repeatedly bit a person walking in North Adams on Sunday, city police reported having found and killed the animal. 

North Adams Police Department took to social media to alert residents to the attack on Sunday and continued to update the public until the believed rabid animal was killed. 

"The fox is attacking unprovoked," the department said in a post Sunday evening. "The animal is considered to be sick. Officers are presently attempting the remedy the problem. Please stay inside and bring your pets in as well."

Residents responded quickly, reporting fox sightings in the area to assist a subsequent, "extensive" multi-agency search Sunday evening for the animal.

Within six hours of the initial reported attack, an aggressive fox was spotted by police. 

"When the officer approached, it went after the cruiser," said North Adams Police Sgt. James Burdick told the Berkshire Eagle. "It aggressively approached so it was run over."

North Adams Police Chief Michael Cozzaglio said the department is "hopeful" it was the same fox that attacked the resident walking his dog near Greylock School.

"Everyone is safe and all went well at school," Cozzaglio said. "We will continue to work with our school and neighbors to keep everyone safe. Please continue to be vigilant and call the police if you see a sick or aggressive animal."

The district's school committees are expected to vote Oct. 10 on whether to hire Michael Morris as permanent superintendent, or proceed with a full search.

AMHERST -- With a vote on whether to make Michael Morris the permanent superintendent for the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District slated for Oct. 10, a group of residents is asking the committees charged with finding a permanent leader to launch a national search.

Meanwhile, Morris -- who has served as acting and then interim superintendent since last fall -- will talk about his vision for the district's future at a meeting Tuesday night, 

Morris replaced Maria Geryk, who resigned mid-contract.

He planned to finish the 2016-17 academic year while the regional and Union 26 school committees, which are jointly responsible for finding a new school leader, began a search for a permanent superintendent.

But search came to a halt in March after committee members learned the online application posted by the Iowa-based consulting firm hired to conduct the violated state law by including questions about applicants' criminal records.

Morris, who had said he didn't want the permanent post, agreed to stay on another year, giving the committees more time. This summer, he decided he wanted to apply for the permanent position.

Regional committee chairman Eric Nakajima said the committees, having heard abundant praise for Morris from the community, are working to figure out whether it makes sense to conduct a new search if there is already "strong sentiment in the community" in support of Morris.

In an email Tuesday, Nakajima wrote that the committees are expected to vote Oct. 10 on whether to hire Morris or proceed with a full search.

He said the committees have received a number of letters and "a substantial majority of the letters were in favor of Dr. Morris being appointed permanent superintendent."

But 32 residents -- many of whom also campaigned against a proposed elementary school building project -- signed a letter sent to the committees calling for "a full, open and robust job search for superintendent."

In the letter, they acknowledged that Morris "has done a commendable job of working with school committee members" following Geryk's departure. 

The residents faulted Morris, though, for his involvement in the proposed project to replace the Wildwood and Fort River Elementary School with a single "twin school" project, serving grades two through six, at the Wildwood Site. 

That project, the letter claims "divided out town."

The town held four votes on the proposal for Amherst to fund $32.8 million of the estimated $67 million needed to build the facility. While the majority of voters cast ballots in favor of the project, it failed to win the required two-thirds majority at a final town meeting vote. It then failed to win the required percentage in a subsequent town election.

According to the letter "this controversial project went on for months and months," and Morris, who led the project since 2014, continued "to press the project long after any hope of political possibility."

The letter states Morris had the opportunity to change the project after Geryk left, but didn't.

"We cannot find the best superintendent without an open job search that reaches out to all qualified candidates," the letter states.

The last successful search for a superintendent came with the hiring of Jere Hochman, who left in 2008. A subsequent superintendent, Alberto Rodriguez, was hired but lasted only eight months. Geryk became interim and later permanent superintendent in 2011.

The letter argues that if Morrise is hired "after a quick, informal hiring process," he would be the district's third consecutive superintendent who "has not done the job before and without a proven track record of success as a superintendent."

The letter writers urge "wide community input" as part of the process. 

Morris is expected to give his presentation at 7 p.m. at the Amherst Regional High School library. He will speak after nearly 30 minutes of public comment.  

9-26-17 RSC Agenda by ledermand on Scribd

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, blasted reports that Equifax CEO Richard F. Smith resigned Tuesday amidst fallout over the company's recent data breach, contending he should be held accountable for the incident.

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, blasted reports that Equifax CEO Richard F. Smith resigned Tuesday amidst fallout over the company's recent data breach, contending he should be held accountable for the incident. 

The Massachusetts Democrat, who has launched an investigation into the cause of the hack that may have compromised the personal information of more than 143 million Americans, condemned Smith for reportedly retiring without first answering questions publicly or giving back any of his pay.

"I've called for Equifax executives to be held accountable for their role in failing to stop this data breach and hiding it from the public for forty days. It's not real accountability if the CEO resigns without giving back a nickel in pay and without publicly answering questions," she said in a statement.

Equifax hack exposes Social Security numbers, other personal data of 143M Americans

Warren called for Smith, the new chairman and the new interim CEO to testify before the Senate Banking Committee.

"The American public deserves answers about what went wrong at Equifax and what the company plans to do going forward," she argued.

The board of Equifax announced that Smith would retire as chairman of the board and CEO effective Tuesday. It appointed Mark Feidler non-executive chairman and Paulino do Rego Barros, Jr. interim CEO, while searching for a new permanent chief executive officer. 

Smith, who will work as an unpaid adviser to Equifax to assist in the transition, acknowledged the security breach's impact on millions of consumers and stressed that he has been "completely dedicated to making this right."

"At this critical juncture, I believe it is in the best interests of the company to have new leadership to move the company forward," he said in a statement.

News of Smith's resignation came more than a week after Warren called on him to answer why he delayed notifying the public of the hack, what information was accessed and how the breach occurred.

Massachusetts senators look to investigate Equifax breach, increase accountability for data brokers

The senator further called on credit reporting agencies TransUnion and Experian to answer a series of questions regarding the danger of identity theft in wake of the Equifax breach, the risk of further data breaches and concerns about the credit ratings industry. 

She also sought details from the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on when they were informed of the breach, if credit reporting agencies were required to report any information about it, steps taken to protect consumers and their regulatory authorities over these companies. 

Equifax announced the data breach, which exposed consumers' social security numbers and other data, in early September -- more than a month after it was reportedly discovered. 

A crowd of family, friends and colleagues gathered upstairs at fire department headquarters on Worthington Street for the pinning ceremony. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD - The Springfield Fire Department welcomed four newly-minted lieutenants and three recruits to its ranks Tuesday morning.

A crowd of family, friends and colleagues gathered upstairs at fire department headquarters on Worthington Street for the pinning ceremony.

"Today is a special day for these (four) gentlemen," said Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant, addressing the lieutenants. "It's a big leap to go from being one of the firefighters to being the boss. It's probably one of the biggest steps up the promotion line."

Promoted from private to lieutenant were: Shawn Connery, Jeff DeGrey, Michael Pereira and Miguel Rivera.

The new firefighters, who recently graduated from the Massachusetts Fire Academy are: Nicholas Diaz, Alexander Vazques and Jeffrey Zalewski.

All three, led by Conant, raised their hands to take their firefighter oath.

Mayor Domenic Sarno thanked the attending family members for standing by the firefighters. "I want to thank each and every one of you, not only for standing by these young men, but for being there for them - the trials and tribulations that they go through."

The mayor, addressing the new recruits, said: "It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the Springfield Fire Department, which historically is one of the first in the United States of America and is still an interior-attack department, which goes in."

The ceremony was very much a family affair for Pereira, who was pinned by his father, District Chief Brian Pereira. The younger Pereira is a third-generation firefighter.

"I am glad to finally take the next step," he said, adding that his grandfather and two uncles also served as Springfield firefighters. "I am definitely excited."

"I am very proud," the elder Pereira said. "He always showed an interest in following in our footsteps."

Rivera was pinned by his fiance, Jacqueline Fernandez. "I am very proud of his efforts and his achievements and his sacrifices," she said.

"I am very excited," Rivera said. "I worked hard for it."

The couples' 2-year-old son, Abram, present for the ceremony, and took calmly took it all in with wide-eyed wonder.

Connery was pinned by his son, Joseph Connery, who said afterwards he was proud of his father.

DeGrey, who was pinned by his daughter, Hannah DeGrey said he too was "very excited" to take on his new role.

"I am very proud of my father for doing very well at his job," said that daughter, Hannah DeGrey.

Conant said he hopes the department will be up to its full complement of personnel by next spring. "It would be the first time in many years," he said.

The department, including civilians, currently numbers 254, 13 shy of the 267 that it is authorized to have. "We are pretty close," he said.

The new lieutenants earn $1,439.57 a week, Conant said, adding that the department currently has 41 lieutenants.

New firefighters earn $1111.36 a week.

Recent exchanges between lawyers and U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni have taken place behind closed doors or are filed under seal.

SPRINGFIELD -- A federal judge on Tuesday signaled he is close to ruling on a number of pending defense motions in the terror case against Alexander Ciccolo.

The two-year-old case against Ciccolo, 24, of Adams has plodded along in U.S. District Court with many of the typically standard aspects of a criminal case shrouded in secrecy over national security concerns.

Ciccolo was arrested July 4, 2015 after picking up a gym bag filled with guns from an FBI informant, court records state. He is accused of collecting guns and explosives to launch terror attacks at college campuses, police stations and other public places out of allegiance to ISIS, according to the charges against him.

Ciccolo also featured on an FBI video expounding on his affection for the Islamic State and supporting the group's brutal attacks on civilians.

Ciccolo, 25, who adopted the Muslim alias Ali Al Amriki, became radicalized online, federal agents have said. He has appeared for prior court proceedings with Muslim headwear and refused to stand when he was arraigned on a second set of terror charges. His attorney, David P. Hoose, has said he does not believe his client ever had contact with a bonafide member of ISIS.

Hoose has filed motions on behalf of his client to force federal prosecutors to identify government witnesses against Ciccolo. Federal prosecutors have thus far resisted Hoose's efforts in that regard, invoking the Classified Information Procedures Act.

Recent exchanges between lawyers and U.S. District Judge Mark G. Mastroianni have taken place behind closed doors or are filed under seal.

Mastroianni said he will rule on defense motions by Nov. 28, when the next pretrial hearing is scheduled.

The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation found that it is not only a lack of adequate funding creating problems but inadequate data, inefficient spending, inconsistent project management, added costs due to the impacts of climate change and lost revenue due to technological advances.

Barbieri says crime in Springfield has declined 118 percent since '03.

SPRINGFIELD - Police Commissioner John Barbieri said on Tuesday that the latest data from the FBI showing declines in reported crime in the city reflects his belief that the police department's strategies are working and the city is making a turnaround.

"The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program shows the Springfield Police Departments' strategies are working and the City of Springfield is making strides in combating crime in our urban neighborhoods," Barbieri said in a prepared statement.

The FBI Uniform Crime Report, which assembles crime information in different categories from thousands of departments across the county, and uses it to gauge the level of crime nationwide.

The 2016 edition of the report, issued Monday, says violent crime, a category that includes homicides, rapes, assaults and armed robberies, and  on average rose by 4.1 percent nationwide since 2015.
Property crimes, such as burglaries, larcenies and car thefts fell by 1.3 percent overall, making it the 14^th year in succession that level of property crimes declined.

In contrast,  Springfield's data showed a sharp contrast to the national snapshot both in terms of violent and property crime.

The FBI report notes that between 2015 and 2016, the amount of violent crime reported in Springfield declined by 4.1 percent, while property crimes reported declined by 2 percent.

Barbieri gave credit to the men and woman who patrol city streets and work tirelessly with people in the neighborhoods. It's this partnership that works "to make this a safer city."

He cited the work of officers assigned to C3 units in different parts of the city as an example of collaboration that has contributed to the declining amounts of crime. C3 units feature officers who work closely with residents of neighborhoods in high-crime areas to find solutions.

 "The underlying reason why we continue to see less and less crime in Springfield is community collaboration," he said. "That commitment begins with Mayor Sarno and his vision for all city departments to work together as a team.  From code enforcement to the Fire Department we work as a cohesive unit to ensure the safety of the residents of Springfield."

He also gave credit to the office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni for targeting prolific offenders, and the assistance provided the federal, state and local agencies assisting Springfield police.

Barbieri pointed out the latest numbers are not a statistical fluke, but reflection of a long-term trend in the city.

For example, he said:

• Between 2003 and 2016, overall crime declined by 118 percent, and violent crime by 84 percent.
• From 2014 through 2016, overall crime declined by 32 percent, and property crimes fell by 40 percent.

The 2016 numbers of crime data, when compared to similar FBI reports over the last three decades shows the amount of violent crime reported last year, 1,588, is the second lowest reported since 1985. Only 2011, when 1,582 violent crimes were reported, had a lower number.

The total number of property crimes reported last year, 5,073, also represents a 30-year low.

In each of the specific crime categories -- both for property and violent crimes, the total number of offenses reported declined from 2015 to 2016.  The two exceptions were a 12 percent increase in robberies, up by 12 to 522,  and a 14 percent increase in burglaries, up by 183 to 1,486

In Springfield, the number of homicides declined from 18 in 2015 to 12 in 2016. The number of reported homicides has tended to fluctuate from year to year over the last decade. There are 11 so far in 2017, with more than 3 months remaining.

Barbieri said the overall picture shows improvement but he said they should not be seen as an end point.

"We realize that these numbers show improvement, but we are not satisfied and will continue work to protect everyone who lives, works and visits the city of Springfield," he said. 

Graphic showing the crime rate in Springfield between 1985 and 2016 based on data from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. Patrick Johnson / The Republican 

JD Byrider, which advertises constantly on daytime television -- has four locations in Massachusetts including the one on Boston Road.

BOSTON -- Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has sued used car dealership JD Byrider -- which has a location at 1090 Boston Road in Springfield -- saying the company sold poorly reconditioned cars and saddled consumers with unaffordable loans and unhelpful extended warranty packages.

JD Byrider, which advertises incessantly on daytime television, is a national chain of "Buy Here Pay Here" used car dealerships that offer financing for the cars they sell. The chain has four locations in Massachusetts including the one on Boston Road.  

JD Byrider's Venturcap Franchise has dealerships in Brockton, Dorchester, Dartmouth and Springfield.

The suit alleges, JD Byrider priced its cars at more than double their retail value and required drivers to sign on to a car loan with an annual percentage rate of 20 percent no matter the buyers' credit qualifications.

JD Byrider's extended service contract, costing $1,300 a car, was bundled into the loan as well, so consumers were forced to pay 20 percent interest on that service contract, Healey's office said. JD Byrider is also accused of using faulty underwriting procedures to get consumers into loans they could not afford.

To get the benefit of the service contract, consumers are then required to use a JD Byrider service center, also according to the news release.

And that service contract does not cover towing costs and does not cover a litany of parts such as, fuel injection components, seals and gaskets, hoses and belts, exhaust systems, catalytic converters, flywheels, radiators, standard transmission clutch parts, transmission mounts, transmission fluid lines, shocks, struts, stabilizer bars and ball joints, according to the lawsuit.

There was also a $50 deductible under the service contract.

Healey's office said buyers have returned hundreds of cars to JD Byrider for repair within three months of purchase due to the mechanical breakdown of a major component such as the engine, electrical system, transmission, brakes, or drive train.    

The suit says JD Byrider spent less on parts to recondition cars than it claimed, and that service managers were given bonuses for keeping amount spent on parts down.

"We allege that JD Byrider ripped off Massachusetts drivers by offering predatory loans for defective and inoperable cars," said AG Healey. "Our goal in this lawsuit is to recover losses to Massachusetts consumers and make this company pay for the harm they caused to thousands of drivers across this state." 

More than half of JD Byrider's deals fail or end in repossession, Healey's office said. That means consumers suffered economic harm from the loss of transportation and damage to their credit.

Healey's office has been going after other dealerships in recent months.

It shut down a dealership called Auto Number One in Abington for selling unsafe cars, obtained an injunction against another t F&R Auto Sales, Inc. of Westport to stop it from selling unsafe cars and from providing consumers with incomplete or inaccurate paperwork, and entered into an agreement requiring Auto Drive One with several locations in the state to pay restitution.

For tips or questions about the auto industry, consumers are asked call the Attorney General's consumer hotline at 617-727-8400 or file a complaint with the office. 

JD Byrider Complaint filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey by Jim Kinney on Scribd

New court filings reveal outstanding debts and claims against the estate of Aaron Hernandez, including an estimated $1.7 million owed to his high-profile attorneys, exceed the estate's value by orders of magnitude.

New court filings reveal outstanding debts and claims against the estate of Aaron Hernandez, including an estimated $1.7 million owed to his high-profile attorneys, exceed the estate's value by orders of magnitude. 

At the time of the former New England Patriots player and convicted murderer's April 19 suicide in his cell at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley, Hernandez's debts exceeded $2 million, The Boston Herald concluded based on the filings. 

The estate's court-appointed handler John G. Dugan estimates the value of the estate at $202,575. 

Dugan's new filings petition Bristol Probate and Family Court for a license to sell Hernandez's 11-room home in North Attleboro, property he reportedly already has lined up a buyer for at the price of $1 million. 

The estimated $1.7 million owed to Jose Baez, Hernandez's high-profile attorney, and associated legal team comprise the majority of the debt.

Last week, Baez filed a $20 million lawsuit against the New England Patriots and the National Football League on behalf of Hernandez's 4-year-old daughter and fiancee after scans of his brain revealed a severe case of CTE -- the degenerative brain disease common in retired football players and linked to suicide and depression.

Hernandez's reported suicide came four days after he was acquitted of a 2012 double murder, though he was still facing a life sentence for the 2013 killing of Odin Lloyd.

Voter turnout for the preliminary election in Holyoke, Massachusetts for mayor and Ward 3 City Council so far on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017 has been low and slow, with 5 percent as of 1 p.m.

HOLYOKE -- Voter turnout for today's preliminary election for mayor and Ward 3 City Council so far has been low and slow.

Turnout inched up to 5 percent as of 1 p.m. after reaching only 3 percent as of about 10:30 a.m., City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee said. The city has 25,636 registered voters.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m.

The top two finishers in each race in the preliminary election will compete on Election Day Nov. 7.

The four candidates for mayor, in the order in which their names appear on the ballot, are:

• Mayor Alex B. Morse, 28, of 11 Linden St., seeking his fourth term;
• Paul P. Bowes, 67, of 1244 Northampton St., construction foreman with Kane Brothers Landscaping here;
• Jason P. "Jay" Ferreira, 34, of 6 Taylor St., the former Ward 4 city councilor and an employment coordinator at Community Enterprises, 287 High St.;
• Michael Thomas Siciliano, 45, of 283 Linden St., a general and masonry contractor and father of three.

In the Ward 3 race, incumbent Councilor David K. Bartley, 52, of of 25 Hillcrest Ave., is running for his fourth term.

Also seeking the Ward 3 seat are Anne N. Thalheimer, 42 of 8 Clark St., a museum educator with the Springfield Museums and an English language teacher at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, and Darlene Elias, Elias, 51, of 17 Clark St. a state probation officer.

Councilor at Large Diosdado Lopez on Saturday announced he was mounting a sticker campaign for mayor in the preliminary election. Lopez is distributing stickers bearing his name that he is asking voters to attach to the ballot or voters also can write in his name on the ballot.

The shooting, which apparently occurred on Baldwin Street, was reported about 1:30 p.m., according to police radio reports.

SPRINGFIELD -- Police are investigating a reported shooting in the Liberty Heights neighborhood that sent a victim to Baystate Medical Center.

The shooting, which have occurred on Baldwin Street, was reported about 1:30 p.m., according to police radio reports.

Baldwin Street is blocked. Police can be seen in front of 22-25 Baldwin St.

Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the Springfield police, said it's not immediately clear where the shooting occurred. The victim was taken to Baystate by a privately-owned vehicle, he said.

This is a developing story. Additional information will be posted as soon as it is available.

The injured man was brought to the hospital by a private vehicle.

This updates a story that was posted at 2:24. p.m. Tuesday

SPRINGFIELD - A man shot Tuesday afternoon during an apparent fight inside a Liberty Height apartment was undergoing surgery Tuesday afternoon and Springfield police are trying to determine what happened.

Police were called an an apartment building at 22-24 Baldwin Street, off Carew Street shortly before 1:30 p.m. for a reported shooting. The injured party had been taken to the hospital in a private vehicle before police arrived.

He was reportedly undergoing surgery. No information was available on the severity of any injuries.

Police and detectives blocked off Baldwin Street and were scouring around the property and looking in a dumpster in the rear of the property.

Capt. Trent Duda of the Major Crimes Bureau said it is unclear at this point what happened inside the apartment.

He said it appeared some people inside started fighting "and a gun went off."

This is a developing story and more information will be added as it is known.

Longtime Craig's Place Executive Director Rebekah Wilder was asked to resign earlier this month because of a dispute over not informing the board that the suspect in a fatal accident had come to the shelter that night.

AMHERST -- A short time after he allegedly struck and killed a man, according to police, Peter Sheremeta tried to check into the Craig's Place homeless shelter. He was turned away.

Rebekah Wilder, the shelter's longtime director, didn't report that interaction to the board of directors and was asked to resign earlier this month because of it, Wilder confirmed this week.

Wilder said she was protecting guest confidentiality.

"If I could rewind and do it all again, I wouldn't change my decision," Wilder said in an email to The Republican. "I would not compromise my ethics, not even to keep my career."

The crash, at a bus stop in downtown Amherst about 9:38 p.m. Nov. 6, took the life of retired firefighter William E. Wanczyk, 55, of Northampton.

Sheremeta, 20, of Belchertown, is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail on charges including manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide.

A police report indicates Sheremeta was turned away from the shelter some time after the crash because he was found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Wilder said Sheremeta wasn't turned away because he was intoxicated but because of his behavior. At that point no one knew about the crash, she said.

Jerry Gates, president of the shelter's board of directors, would not comment on why Wilder was asked to resign. All he would say is "the committee voted to go in different direction."

Board member Gerry Weiss said this wasn't the first disagreement between Wilder and the board.

"It's been an ongoing issue between how the board thought management should handle an information exchange, what (the) responsibilities of the board were, that relied on the information exchange," Weiss said.

Wilder said she was protecting guest confidentiality, as well as the identity of a woman who had asked Sheremeta to leave her apartment prior to the crash "due to his level of intoxication and drug use," according to the police report.

Wilder said she didn't think it was something the board needed to know.

"Since the board did not bring up any other incidents in speaking with me, I would have no way to know if there were other situations they felt entitled to know about," she said. "There are privacy laws that govern non-profits, employers, and specifically agencies working with the homeless. It is the responsibility of an Executive Director to determine what information is appropriate to share."

Jade Lovett, who has been named co-director with Rachel Weiss, worked with Wilder for a couple of years and said the issues the board raised had been raised before. Rachel Weiss is not related to Gerry Weiss.

Lovett would not comment on whether she agreed with Wilder's decision. "I think that operating ethically as an organization is what protects the people. That ultimately impacts the people we serve. "

She said she and Weiss are "of the mindset that honesty and ethics are the way to go."

The board is now taking a more active role in the running of the shelter "so it doesn't become overwhelming," Lovett said.

Lovett previously was shelter manager and has been running the resource center as well. Weiss previously was director of housing services.

The shelter is open from Nov. 1 through April 30, but offers other services year-round.

Wilder began working at the shelter when it was operated as Milestone. Craig's Doors began running it in 2011, renaming it Craig's Place. Wilder became director in 2014 when Kevin Noonan left. The shelter, she said, has been her life.

"I love the organization," Wilder said. "The guests have meant so much to me over the years."