Lottery officials say they are betting players will like the variety and changes made in the game.

By MICHAEL J. CRUMB

Get ready to pay more for Powerball: Ticket prices are going up to $2.

Lottery organizers hope the price change will entice more people to play because jackpots are getting bigger and the odds of winning are improving.

The move is a strategy to differentiate the game from Mega Millions, another big-money, multi-state lottery game that sells for $1 a ticket. Both games are sold in 42 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington D.C. Both have drawings twice a week but are played on different nights.

Lottery officials say they are betting players will like the variety and changes made in the game. But some players say the price increase may keep them from playing as often or not at all.

The price change takes effect Jan. 15.

The woman was hit in the torso while walking on a wooded path at about 5 p.m. Saturday.

NORTON, Mass. (AP) — Police say an off-duty state trooper who was hunting in Norton has shot and wounded a 66-year-old woman walking her two dogs after sunset, claiming that he thought she was a deer.

The woman was hit in the torso while walking on a wooded path at about 5 p.m. Saturday. Norton police say the trooper called 911 after realizing that his target was not a deer.

State police on Sunday said the trooper is not being identified because he faces no charges and no internal investigation.

The woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Authorities did not immediately release additional information on her condition.

The woman is not being fully identified by police who said she and the trooper live in Norton.

Norton, state and environmental police officers are investigating the incident.

Belchertown-News.com, citing sources close to the Atwell family, reports that Atwell's passenger was pregnant with twins, but they did not survive the crash.

File photo

PELHAM - State police have identified the man killed Sunday morning in a rollover car crash on Route 202 as 32-year-old Michael L. Atwell of Orange.

State police in Belchertown responded to the accident at midnight and found an overturned 2000 Suzuki SUV in the road. Atwell, who had been driving, was ejected and trapped under the vehicle.

He was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was pronounced dead.

His passenger, Jessica L. Richards, 23, of Brookfield, was taken to Baystate with serious injuries.

Belchertown-News.com, citing sources close to the Atwell family, reports that Richards was pregnant with twins, but they did not survive the crash.

The accident is under investigation.

Perez submitted the winning entry in her school's naming contest for the new truck.

12/22/11 Springfield- - As the Springfield Fire Department mascot Tiller looks on at left, Brianna Perez 8, a 2nd-grader at Milton Bradley School proudly holds up her artwork which she drew and also came up with the name for the cities new aerial platform truck behind her. The name selected by firefighters was Firestorm .

SPRINGFIELD – Milton Bradley Elementary School second-grader Brianna Perez grinned broadly from ear-to-ear one recent winter morning as she posed for pictures in front of the Fire Department’s newest platform truck with the firefighters’ mascot, Tiller the Dalmation.

Perez, wearing a bright red firefighter hat, got the star treatment because she won a contest held within the school to name that piece of apparatus.

Henceforth, the 2011 Pierce Velocity 100’ aerial platform, bought for $990,835 several months ago, will be known as “Firestorm.”

“I feel excited,” Brianna said, shortly after a group of her fellow students assembled outside the school to honor her and goggle at shiny red truck.

Asked how she came up with her winning name, Brianna pondered the question for a bit and said “I just thought of it.”

Brianna submitted her entry with a drawing of the truck, its lights ablaze and its platform leaping into action.

Firestorm beat out such other entries as Red Lifesaver, Red Blazer, Red Rover and just plain old Red.

“This truck is special to the school because it protects the school and the precious children standing behind me,” said Fire Commissioner Gary G. Cassanelli.

“This is such an honor,” said Principal Lisa Dakin.

The kindergarteners of Milton Bradley left entertained the crowd with a medley of Channukah and Christmas songs.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno praised the firefighters for helping to keep the city safe through such recent trials as the tornado, hurricane and October nor’easter.

The ceremony included blessings and prayers by two of the department’s chaplains, the Rev. Gary Dailey, who is the chief chaplain and the Rev. J. Willard Cofield Jr.

Firestorm follows a naming tradition that began in 2006 when the students of the Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School dubbed a new heavy rescue vehicle Red Team.

In 2008, second-graders at Kensington Avenue Magnet School named a new aerial truck Oakland Raider.

Afterwards, in a separate ceremony, representatives from ExxonMobil Corp. presented Sarno and Cassanelli with a grant check for $2,0000.

Cassanelli told Tim Andre and other ExxonMobil executives that the grant would be used to purchase equipment.”Thanks so much, Cassanelli said. “Believe me when I say this money will be put to good use.”

He acknowledged Ron Paul's sizable base of support but said the Texas congressman would not be able to bring together enough voters to win a general election.

View full sizeAssociated PressRepublican presidential candidate former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman listens to a speaker before a town hall event at Norton's Classic Cafe in Nashua, N.H., Monday, Nov. 21, 2011.

By HOLLY RAMER

DERRY, N.H. (AP) — Iowa may help winnow the field, but it will be New Hampshire that sends a clear message about which Republican presidential hopeful is the most electable, Jon Huntsman said Sunday.

The former Utah governor is skipping Tuesday's Iowa caucuses and has been focused only on New Hampshire, which holds the first primary Jan. 10. He is spending 14 days straight campaigning there, including holding three town hall meetings Sunday.

After drawing about 150 people to his first stop, Huntsman told reporters that Iowa plays an important role in narrowing the field, and that Rick Santorum's recent rise there shows that traditional grassroots campaigning is still important.

But it will be New Hampshire that "will set the standard going forward," he said.

"That's going to impact people's thinking longer term about who is electable," said Huntsman, who argues that the results of the Iowa caucuses will be forgotten within days.

That could be wishful thinking on Huntsman's part, especially if former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney wins in Iowa and then heads to New Hampshire, where he has long been the front-runner.

Huntsman recently has begun making modest progress in New Hampshire after months spent near the bottom of polls, but he still lags far behind Romney.

In person, Huntsman has been calling the primary a two-man race between him and Romney, telling voters they have a choice between a "status quo" candidate and one who will restore the economy and the nation's trust in government. But his campaign clearly feels threatened also by Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who has been ahead of Huntsman in polls.

The Huntsman campaign posted its second online ad attacking Paul on Sunday, using music and graphics similar to the "Twilight Zone" and footage of what it calls Paul's history of making incendiary statements and promoting outlandish conspiracy theories.

Asked about the ad, Huntsman said it's only natural to compare and contrast himself with the other leading candidates.

"I think that's what people expect, that's how people can better understand you and your message," he said.

He acknowledged Paul's sizable base of support but said the Texas congressman would not be able to bring together enough voters to win a general election.

"I don't believe that he can put together enough mainstream support to be successful, and that is increasingly the question that is being asked," he said.

Residents celebrated the New Year with fireworks, music and even a new baby on Sunday.

Springfield, 1/1/2012, Staff Photo by David Molnar -- The Mastey family of Springfield, from left, Joshua, Keycha and their new born baby girl, Elyanna Skyy. She was born at 2:22 a.m. at Mercy Medical Center. David Molnar

Residents celebrated the New Year with fireworks, music and even a new baby on Sunday.

While many people were arriving home from parties or still out celebrating Joshua and Keycha Mastey, of Springfield, were welcoming their daughter Elyanna Skyy Matsey into the world. Elyanna was born at 2:22 a.m.

“We are so happy,” said Joshua Matsey, a 24 year-old former US Army veteran. It is the first child for the married couple.

Keycha Matsey said her due date was Jan. 4, but she had a dream on Friday night that she would go into labor before then.

"We checked in early and she came sooner than we expected," she said.

Many chose to enjoy New Year’s Eve a little bit earlier for the younger members of their families.

First Night Jr. in Holyoke attracted more than 1,300 visitors to the events geared towards children, said Susan Kelley, executive director of Holyoke Children’s Museum.

“We had a great turn out. Ever year it just keeps getting bigger,” Kelley said. She said the good weather helped make the day a success.

Besides some heavy fog on Saturday night and early Sunday morning temperatures were mild for the holiday weekend.

AccuWeather.com predicts the week will be dry and snowless with temperatures ranging from 24 to 41 degrees. Monday will have a high of 38 and a 19-degree low while Tuesday could be the coldest with windy conditions, a high of 26 and a low plunging to 4 degrees. The temperature will start to climb on Wednesday through the end of the week.

Penny Burke, executive director of Northampton Center for the Arts, credited the mild weather for attracting large crowds to the 27th annual First Night celebration.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt it was well-attended,” she said, acknowledging it was hard to judge between partygoers and others with business downtown.

The arts center held music and dance performances throughout the day and was one of several venues hosting events. All told, Burke said, “For me, the highlight is the fireworks.”

A performance by Northampton High School a capella group The Northamptones drew such a crowd to the AP Gallery on Main Street that people were turned away at the door, she said.

Northampton turns the ball-dropping ritual on its head by raising it up a spire on the roof of the downtown Hotel Northampton. And, while revelers nationwide counted down the final ten seconds of 2011, Burke said “thousands of rowdy people” pulled themselves together and counted up to 12.

“There were people out dancing in the street” to music provided by WHMP 96.9, she said.

Bright Nights in Springfield attracted many families over the weekend and everyday beginning Nov. 23.

“We didn’t even know if we would be open in time after the snowstorm in October, but our workers did 14-hour shifts getting it ready and it turned out wonderfully,” said Judith A. Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, which hosts the light show. She estimated over 35,000 saw the display this year.

Matt said Bright Nights will be open and free to the public Monday as part of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno’s inauguration celebrations.

“We are opening the park from 5 to 7 p.m. and we will be serving hot chocolate and cookies for families who want to come out,” she said.

Police also had a busy night Saturday and into Sunday morning with more than 200 calls in Springfield alone.

Police said some of the gunfire reports they received were actually fireworks, while others revealed no evidence of a shooting. When officers weren’t busy handling disturbances, they were assisting city firefighters at crash scenes, including a three-car collision in the 2900 block of Main Street just after 4 a.m. They also responded to a 2:12 a.m. report of a one-car crash at the intersection of Orange and White streets. It was unclear if anyone was injured in either of those incidents.

Police confirmed a three-car accident and stabbing at the intersection of Carew Street and St. James Avenue around 3:52 a.m. Detectives said the incident is under investigation.

Sunday morning there was also a rollover car crash on Route 202 in Pelham took the life of 32-year-old Michael L. Atwell of Orange.

State police in Belchertown responded to the accident at midnight and found an overturned 2000 Suzuki SUV in the road. Atwell, who had been driving, was ejected and trapped under the vehicle. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was pronounced dead. His passenger, Jessica L. Richards, 23, of Brookfield, was taken to Baystate with serious injuries. The accident is under investigation.

Staff writers Brian Steele and Conor Berry contributed to this story.

State police on Sunday said the trooper is not being identified because he faces no charges and no internal investigation.

NORTON – An off-duty state trooper who was hunting in Norton has shot and wounded a 66-year-old woman walking her two dogs after sunset, claiming that he mistook the tails of the retrievers for those of deer.

The woman was hit in the torso while walking on a wooded path at about 5 p.m. Saturday. Norton police say the trooper called 911 after realizing that his target was not a deer.

State police on Sunday said the trooper is not being identified because he faces no charges and no internal investigation.

The woman was taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. Authorities did not immediately release additional information on her condition.

The woman is not being fully identified by police who said she and the trooper live in Norton.

State police say investigators have determined that the shooting was accidental.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Brenda Wolfe

Brenda Louise Wolfe, of Westhampton, died Dec. 12, in Jaipur, India. Born in 1960, Wolfe was a Girl Scout professional, serving communities is Spokane, Wash., Delaware County, Pa., Toledo, Ohio, and Central/Western Massachusetts in her 27-year career. She also was a volunteer, serving in leadership roles with The Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff, Holyoke Rows, Northampton Youth and Community Rowing, The Women's Partnership, The Women's Fund of Western Massachusetts, The Human Services Forum, Step-Up Springfield, The American Camping Association and The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• 
  Anderson, Kenneth N.
  



• 
  Arnold, Thomas W.
  




• 
  Belisle, Sylvio R. "Steve"
  



• 
  Bewick, Douglas W.
  



• 
  Burns, Jeanne L. (Dion)




• 
  Burt, Randall F. "Randy"
  



• 
  Castillo, Jane (Lewis)
  




• Collins, Margaret A.
  




• 
  Donais, Maria J. (Soldano)
  



• 
  Forcier, Theresa J.




• 
  Fountain, Laurence R. "Larry"
  



• 
  Giverson, Ruth M. (Derosia)
  




• Godek, Mary Rose (Gnatek)
  




• 
  Grassetti, Tom M.
  



• 
  Hogan, Mary R.




• 
  Kallmeyer, Edwin "Sam"
  



• 
  Kwiecien, Mark A.
  




• LaBonte, Shirley H.
  




• 
  Lamothe, Joanne (Ordynowicz)
  



• 
  Lane Sr., Hank James




• 
  Mitchell Jr., William M.
  



• 
  Nadeau, Robert Emile
  




• Ogrodnik, Victoria
  




• 
  Ostrander, Vernon A.
  



• 
  Parenteau, Peter L.




• 
  Petrucci, Nancy L. (Francis)
  



• 
  Powers, J. Bradford
  




• Rolley, Helen E. (Hoshko)
  




• 
  Schube, Edward G.
  



• 
  Starzyk Sr., John B.




• 
  Tatro, Joseph D.
  



• 
  Warner, Jean J. (Mesick)
  




• Welch, Frederick L. "Manny"
  




• 
  Wheeler, Graydon H.
  



• 
  Widor, Edward S.




• 
  Wolfe, Brenda Louise
  



• 
  Woods, Elizabeth (Green)
  

The new congressional district will go into force in 2013, following fall 2012 elections. Because congressional districts are determined by population, and Massachusetts’ population grew more slowly than other parts of the country, Massachusetts lost a congressional seat.

The Republican / Dave RobackU.S. Rep. Richard Neal

WESTFIELD – U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, will meet Tuesday with chambers of commerce from towns he doesn’t represent now, but might represent once new congressional districts go into force.

The new congressional district will go into force in 2013, following fall 2012 elections. Because congressional districts are determined by population, and Massachusetts’ population grew more slowly than other parts of the country, Massachusetts lost a congressional seat.

U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, is not standing for re-election. The state divided up Olver’s old district between Neal and U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, a Worcester Democrat, with McGovern taking the northern portion of the Pioneer Valley should he win re-election.

Neal, should he win re-election, gets West Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield and Easthampton, as well as West Springfield and all of Berkshire County.

The event is at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University. It’s sponsored by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. “All the chambers felt this would be a great time to invite the congressman to meet with our boards early in the new year while he was in the district during this break,” Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, said in a prepared statement.

Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle will welcome the chamber members and introduce Neal.

Andrea F. Nuciforo Jr., a Democrat from Pittsfield, has announced plans to run against Neal.

Here is a list of major municipal meetings for the coming week: Agawam Tues.- City Council, 7 p.m., Roberta G. Doering School. Thurs.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Agawam Public Library. Amherst Tues.- Select Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall. Wed.- Local Historic District Study Committee, 10 a.m., Town Hall. Zoning Board Subcommittee, 5 p.m., Town Hall. Planning Board, 7 p.m.,...

Republican file photoAmherst Town Hall

Here is a list of major municipal meetings for the coming week:

Agawam
Tues.- City Council, 7 p.m., Roberta G. Doering School.

Thurs.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Agawam Public Library.

Amherst

Tues.- Select Board, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Wed.- Local Historic District Study Committee, 10 a.m., Town Hall.

Zoning Board Subcommittee, 5 p.m., Town Hall.

Planning Board, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Chicopee

Tues.- City Council, 7:15 p.m., City Hall.

Wed.- School Committee, 7 p.m., 180 Broadway.

East Longmeadow

Mon.- Board of Selectmen, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Board of Assessors, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Thu.- Appropriations Committee, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall.

Easthampton

Tues.- City Council, noon, Town Hall.

School Committee, 5 p.m., Municipal Building.

Wed.- Public Works, 4:30 p.m., Municipal Building.

Licensing Board, 5:30 p.m., Municipal Building.

Board of Assessors, 5:30 p.m., Municipal Building.

City Council, 6 p.m., Municipal Building.

Housing Partnership, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Building.

Greenfield

Mon.- Town Council Committee Chair Meeting, 6 p.m., Police Department.

Wed.- Historical Commission, 4:30 p.m., 114 Main St.

Franklin County Technical School Superintendent Search Committee, 5:30 p.m., Library Conference Room.

Board of Health, 6:45 p.m., Town Hall.

Thu.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., 321 High St.

Hadley

Tues.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Senior Center.

Board of Health, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Wed.- Select Board, 7 p.m., Town Hall.

Hatfield

Tues.- Library Building Committee, 6 p.m., Dickinson Memorial Building.

Capital Improvement Planning Committee, 3 p.m., Memorial Town Hall.

Library Trustees, 10 a.m., Hatfield Public Library.

Wed.- Community Preservation Committee, 6 p.m., Memorial Town Hall.

School Committee Budget Subcommittee, 11:30 a.m., Superintendent’s Office.

Longmeadow

Tues.- Capital Planning, 7 p.m., Fire Department.

Select Board, 7 p.m., Police Department.

Wed.- Planning Board, 7 p.m., Police Department.

Longmeadow Soccer Association, 7:30 p.m., Greenwood Center.

Monson

Tues.- Community Preservation Committee, 7 p.m., Hillside School.

Thu.- Cemetery Commissioners, 6 p.m., 32 Wilbraham Road.

Northampton

Tues.- Smith Vocational High School Board of Trustees, 5 p.m., Smith Vocational High School.

Inauguration ceremony, 10 a.m., Northampton High School.

City Council, 2 p.m., Council Chambers.

Wed.- License Commission, 4 p.m., Council Chambers.

Youth Commission, 7 p.m., City Hall.

Community Preservation Committee, 7 p.m., Council Chambers.

Police Facility Building Committee, 5 p.m., City Hall.

Palmer

Tues.- Bondsville Fire and Water District, 7 p.m., Bondsville Fire and Water complex.

Warren

Tues.- Board of Selectmen, 7 p.m., Shepard Municipal Building.

Wed.- Sewer Commissioners, 8 a.m., Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Thu.- Capital Planning Committee, 7 p.m., Shepard Municipal Building.

West Springfield

Tues.-Town Council, 6 p.m., municipal building.

School Committee organizational meeting, 6:30 p.m., Merrick Meeting Room, municipal building.

Planning and Construction Committee, 7 p.m., municipal building.

Wed.- Commission on Disabilities, 6 p.m., municipal building.

Mater Dolorosa Church was to close on June 30.

Republican staff photo by David MolnarLife-long Holyoke resident, Frank Chmura, far right, and scores of other Polish Catholic faithful of the the Mater Dolorosa Church say prayers outside the church. The group has been holding a 24-hour vigil for six-months hoping to keep the church open after the Springifield Diocese closed the church.

HOLYOKE – The New Year brought a celebration of a different kind at the Mater Dolorosa Church where more than 100 people gathered to recognize the six-month anniversary of a round-the-clock vigil held to save the church.

Friends of Mater Dolorosa – formed shortly after the last Mass was said at the Maple Street church in June – gathered inside the church to say prayers and sing in Polish and English. They shared food and hugged.

Throughout the six months of arranging a schedule to make sure at least two people are in the church at all times, huddling in blankets to stay warm in the heatless building and battling with Springfield Roman Catholic Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell, the group has grown stronger and remains determined, said Shirley Anop, of Chicopee, a long-time member.

As a lector, Anop chooses readings and songs for the weekly Friday prayer vigils that typically attract 100 or more people. On Dec. 23, that number ballooned to about 300, she said.

“These are the faithful believers and we have become more so,” Anop said. “Everything we do is good and we are doing God’s work. I can’t understand why we are being taken to court.”

The Springfield Diocese disagrees. Officials feel the Friends are standing in the way of efforts to make all the parishes in Western Massachusetts financially sound, and may be creating a serious danger by preventing church officials from removing the church steeple that two engineering reports say is in poor shape and could collapse.

“While we understand the emotions that come from having to leave a beloved church, the factors involved in making this difficult decision were overwhelming, not arrived at in haste, but over a number of years. To have ignored this reality would have been a failure to act in the best interests of future Catholic generations,” said Mark E. Dupont, diocese spokesman.

Citing declining enrollment and financial problems, the Catholic Diocese reduced the number of parishes in Holyoke.

Republican staff photo by David MolnarJoe Borucki, of South Hadley, holds his photograph of the scores of Polish Catholic faithful of the the Mater Dolorosa Church having a prayer service inside the closed church.

The decision was to join Holy Cross and Mater Dolorosa. The new parish, named
Our Lady of the Cross, would be ministered to by the Franciscan order and Rev. Alex B. Cymerman from the Mater Dolorosa and the Mater Dolorosa School would continue. The Holy Cross Church became the parish’s new home.

But when the last Mass was held June 30, Mater Dolorosa members refused to leave.

Dupont said the Diocese has been trying to show compassion, but the battle has frequently turned bitter.

On the last Mass, one member shouted “you lie” to McDonnell and the diocese has accused protesters of failing to secure the church properly. Protesters frequently complain the diocese has not shared financial records, an accusation Dupont has repeatedly denied.

In an unusual move, the diocese has filed a court order to try to remove the protesters, saying they are trespassing. It has not done the same at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams, where protesters started the third year of their non-stop vigil on Dec. 26.

The difference is the condition of the steeple. It cannot be removed with people inside, Dupont said.

Protesters, however, hired their own engineer who contradicted the church’s two reports and said the steeple is safe.

A hearing on a summary judgment is scheduled for Wednesday in Hampden Superior Court. Earlier, a judge denied the Diocese’s request for an emergency injunction to order protesters to leave.

Protesters were delivered a blow this fall when the Vatican rejected their appeal of McDonnell’s decision to close the church. They have asked the Congregation of the Clergy to reconsider the decision based on new information.

“As we have consistently asked since July 1, we would take this opportunity to again ask those occupying the church to end their unauthorized and very divisive action,” Dupont said.

Dorothy Skivel, of South Hadley, chose not to join the protesters, even though she had been a member of Mater Dolorosa for 75 years.

“Having been a member of the parish council, I knew we were struggling. We were treading water and you can only tread water for so long before you drown,” she said.

Skivel said she never felt unwelcome and knew some of the Holy Cross members through an inter-parish project called Alpha Program. She said it will take time to build the new parish, but the work is worth it.

“I can find God anywhere,” she said.

The parish was deeply in debt, owing an estimated $734,000. Some of the protesters are questioning that figure and, in a countersuit, are asking for a complete accounting of the approximately $425,000 donated to improve the church, said Victor Anop, a Mater Dolorosa member from Chicopee who is also serving as its lawyer with fellow member Peter Stasz.

Stasz is a relatively newcomer to Mater Dolorosa, having joined after St. Joseph Church in Springfield closed in 2005. He said he believes Mater Dolorosa is a vibrant parish and worth fighting for, even if it means spending an occasional night sleeping in the church.

“The vote to close the church was 4-3. I was the deciding vote. We had so few members,” he said of St. Joseph Church.

Stasz said he visited other churches before Mater Dolorosa. He loved that many families were members.

As a father of two children who are 13 and 11, Nyles Courchesne, of Holyoke said he and his wife strongly believe in a Catholic education for their son and daughter.

“We weren’t willing to join them. We wanted to move on with the parish,” he said, adding he wishes others did too. “It is not good for the parish.

Courchesne said he has compassion for the protesters. While a member since childhood, he said he does not have the strong Polish ties that most protesters do, and might feel differently if his grandparents helped build the church.

“We chose people over buildings. They are choosing the building over people,” he said.

Despite the protest, Courchesne said he feels the merging of the two parishes has gone well. He said members felt from the first Mass that they had created something new, instead of walking into someone else’s church.

Some of the Mater Dolorosa protesters are attending weekly Mass at Our Lady of the Cross while continuing the vigil. Others attend new churches, since most believe receiving weekly sacraments is important, Shirley Anop said.

Chester Cholewa, of Holyoke, who joined Mater Dolorosa 60 years ago after immigrating from Poland, translates the Friday prayer vigil for Anop and serves as lector for the weekly Polish mass at Our Lady of the Cross.

Cholewa said he wants to keep Mater Dolorosa open, in part, for historic reasons. The Polish people found a home and a place to worship in Holyoke after World War I and World War II, he said, and will lose that if the church closes.

“I come here every day, sometimes for a little while and sometimes for longer and I sleep here sometimes and I’m 87,” he said.

No one was injured in the crime.

File photo

SPRINGFIELD – A man armed with a gun ordered the employees out of a Tedeschi Food Mart and robbed it at about 9:50 p.m. Sunday.

The man, described as Hispanic, wearing a puffy vest, a gray or brown shirt and gold chain, ran from the store on 376 Boston Road, heading toward Bay Street. State police assisted in trying to track him using trained dogs, Police Sgt. Christopher Hitas said.

Because all employees were ordered to leave the store, it was unknown immediately how much money was taken. Police are still investigating, Hitas said.

No one was injured in the crime.

Rory W. Turschman, 44, is expected to be arraigned in Northampton District Court on OUI and other charges in connection with the crash, which closed streets near the crash site for a few hours.

NORTHAMPTON – A Franklin County man who crashed his car into a utility pole Friday afternoon was drunk, according to Northampton police.

Rory W. Turschman, 44, of Montague, was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol-second offense, negligent operation and possession of an open alcohol container after crashing into a pole at the intersection of State and Finn streets shortly after 3 p.m.

The daytime accident happened as Northampton was gearing up for the busy New Year's weekend. A section of State Street was closed to traffic for a couple of hours as officials investigated and cleared the accident scene, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette.

Turschman, who was uninjured, will be arraigned Tuesday in Northampton District Court. State courts are closed Monday.

Buses were stopped Sunday for the holiday

File photo | The RepublicanTwo PVTA buses drive along Main Street in downtown Springfield.

The Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority has returned today to its regular weekday schedule following having closed transit bus service Sunday for New Year’s Day.

State Attorney General Martha M. Coakley said cafe was nothing more than an illegal slot parlor.

The Republican/Dave RobackCafeno's Cyber Cafe at 76 Main Street in Chicopee just after it was closed in March and an investigation began.

SPRINGFIELD – A Westfield man and his business partner will be arraigned Wednesday in Hampden Superior Court on charges of running an illegal gambling operation at a now-closed Internet cafe in Chicopee.

Steven Sheldon, 48, of Westfield, owner of the cafe, and his business partner, Steven Megliola, 52, of Longmeadow, were indicted in November on charges of organizing or promoting gambling services and operating an illegal lottery.

Their business - Cafeno’s Cyber Cafe at 76 Main St. - closed in March after it was raided by state police.

Sheldon was also indicted for allowing lotteries in a building and the sale and advertising of lottery tickets.

Their corporation, Cafeno’s Inc., faces the same charges, in the case brought by state Attorney General Martha M. Coakley’s office.

“This cyber cafe was nothing more than an illegal, unregulated slot parlor with no protections for consumers,” Coakley said at the time of the indictments. “We allege that these defendants operated a gambling facility in direct violation of existing Massachusetts law.”

Under state law, it is illegal to run or promote a gambling operation, the attorney general said. The current gambling law in this case points to the existence of an illegal “lottery,” according to the attorney general.

The definition of a lottery includes a payment to play, a prize, and some element of chance.

Coakley’s office on March 31 closed down Cafeno’s Cyber Cafe in Chicopee and confiscated some video games as part of an investigation of possible gaming violations, officials said.

Coakley said that customers at Cafeno’s paid only for the right to gamble online and not, as the operators claim, to use the Internet and play a free sweepstakes.

Investigators allege that “no purchase required” opportunities were trivial and insignificant and gambling was the only clear purpose at Cafeno’s, Coakley said.

Legislation to ban Internet slot cafes is languishing on Beacon Hill, allowing several of the businesses to continue to run in Western Massachusetts amid legal questions about their operations.

With fanfare and support from the attorney general, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo in mid-July filed the bill to shut down the so-called cyber cafes. Since then, despite the powerful backing, the bill inched ahead through the legislative process.

The state Legislature only agreed on Oct. 27 to send it to the Judiciary Committee. The bill probably won’t receive a public hearing until early next year, says Alexis Tkachuk, chief of staff for the committee.

In November, Coakley’s office said it has “active and ongoing” investigations into cyber cafes across the state. “We are doing this one-by-one. Each one is a question of fact,” Coakley said.

The City Council includes two new members: Kenneth E. Shea and Bud L. Williams.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno is sworn in for a four-year term on Monday at City Hall. (Republican photo by Mark M. Murray).

SPRINGFIELD – The inauguration of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council on Monday, and the swearing-in of new council President James J. Ferrera III was filled with pledges of cooperation and commitment to the revitalization of Springfield.

The inauguration was conducted in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, with an overflow crowd that included several state legislators, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, city officials, and families and friends of the elected officials.

Sarno took the oath of office for his third term, which is the first four-year term for mayor in the city’s history. He was sworn in by District Court Judge Mary E. Hurley, who is a former mayor of Springfield.

Ferrera was elected president by a unanimous vote of the council, and John A. Lysak was unanimously selected as council vice-president. District Court Judge William J. Boyle, who is a former city councilor, conducted the swearing-in of Ferrera.

The 13-member council, elected in November, includes two new members: Kenneth E. Shea and Bud L. Williams.

Sarno promised to be “absolutely relentless” in pursuing the five chosen pillars of his administration: “enhancing public safety; improving the quality of public education; accelerating job creation; advancing citywide revitalization; and delivering quality municipal services in a fiscally responsible manner.”



Sarno and Ferrera both commended Springfield’s residents, officials and emergency responders for their efforts to help Springfield from the disasters of 2011 that included a June 1 tornado and an Oct. 29 snowstorm.

Sarno quoted former President John Kennedy as once saying: “Together we have been partners in adversity. Let us also be partners in prosperity.”

“I challenge all of you to become involved in achieving that prosperity,” Sarno said. “Ask yourself: What can I do? How can I help? What will be my own personal contribution? As I have said repeatedly, no contribution is too small.”

Ferrera said the council will work with the mayor “to meet our responsibility and to move this city forward improving the quality of life for all of our residents.”

He said he and the council will work to promote public safety, a business-friendly environment, and stronger neighborhoods.

He pledged to conduct a “listening tour” in all neighborhoods of the city, and proposed placing all city expenditures on-line for full transparency. In addition, Ferrera said he will create an ad hoc committee to assess the impact of any potential casino site in Springfield.

“2012 must and will be a year of constructive and positive change for our city,” Ferrera said. “We all have a responsibility to work hard and carry out the city business for our citizens. I am eager to get started.”

Councilors sworn in on Monday were: Thomas M. Ashe; Timothy J. Rooke; Kateri B. Walsh; Ferrera and Williams, all at large members; and Zaida Luna (Ward 1); Michael A. Fenton (Ward 2); Melvin A. Edwards (Ward 3); E. Henry Twiggs (Ward 4); Clodovaldo Concepcion (Ward 5); Shea (Ward 6); Timothy C. Allen (Ward 7); and Lysak (Ward 8).

School Committee members are mid-way through their four-year terms.

Chicopee also conducted inaugural ceremonies on Monday including Mayor Michael Bissonnette.

Inaugural ceremonies for elected officials are also scheduled Tuesday -NT>in several area communities including new mayors elected in Holyoke and West Springfield.

The ceremonies on Tuesday include: Holyoke, 10 a.m., Holyoke High School, Mayor Alex B. Morse; West Springfield, 6 p.m., Municipal Building, Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger; and Westfield, 9:30 a.m., Westfield Vocational-Technical High School, Mayor Daniel M. Knapik. Also: Agawam, 10 a.m. Town Hall, Mayor Richard A. Cohen; Northampton, 10 a.m., Northampton High School, Mayor David Narkewicz; and Easthampton, 10 a.m., Mayor Michael A. Tautznik.

As has become customary, the festivities concluded with the raising of the First Night ball at the Hotel Northampton.

The Republican | Michael BeswickFirst Night crowds in Northampton savor the last hours of 2011.

NORTHAMPTON – It will be a while before they know if it equaled the record-breaking 2010, but First Night 2011 was a success by any other measure, according to organizers.

Northampton’s 27th First Night celebration drew crowds by the thousands into the streets without a single arrest. With some stores staying open into the night and hungry revelers packing restaurants, the event provided an infusion of cash into the local economy to begin the new year.

As always, weather was the key to First Night’s success and the snow-free sidewalks and above-freezing temperatures were just fine with the thousands of folks who toggled between 19 venues taking in some 70 different acts. In 2010, spring-like weather helped that year’s First Night set a record for attendance and revenues.

Penny Burke, the director of the Center for the Arts, which organizes the event, said they sold $90,000 in First Night buttons in 2010. After expenses were subtracted and corporate support was added, the center was able to salt away $85,000 in a saving account last year to help with its impending move as its lease is about to run out in the Sullivan Building.

It will be a week or so until the numbers are crunched for First Night 2011, but Burke said the preliminary figures she has seen are encouraging.

“There was a surge in all-day and evening buttons,” she said, noting that the success of 2010 was due mainly to families who took in the children’s shows earlier in the day.

Although she was holed up at her office in the Sullivan Building for most of the event, Burke liked what she managed to see.

“People just seemed to be having a great time,” she said. “I really felt a positive energy out on the streets.”

Over the years, event organizers have worked out many of the glitches from previous First Nights.

“Very few people were turned away from events,” Burke said. “The complaint department was minimal.”

One minor snafu came when the fire alarm went off in the Sullivan Building at about 12:15 p.m., during the first event of the day. The crowd filed out of the building in orderly fashion and returned for the end of the show after the Fire Department attributed the problem to a faulty smoke detector.

“Everybody took it in good stride,” Burke said. “I was the only one who lost 10 years.”

As has become customary, the festivities concluded with the raising of the First Night ball at the Hotel Northampton. Thousands stood in the street at midnight to cheer as the ball went up. According to police, not a single arrest ensued.

A total of 27 city officials were sworn into office in a ceremony at Elms College.

The Republican | John SuchockiChicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette gives his inaugural address after being sworn in to serve his fourth term on Monday at Elms College.

CHICOPEE – Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette promised to work to end political in-fighting after being sworn in for his fourth term by a man he has been fighting with for months.

“Hopefully we can put the political infighting and bickering on hold until the next elections,” he said, in a short speech after the inauguration of 27 different city officials at Elms College Monday.

The ceremony came after months of sometimes vicious political fights leading up to the elections. Despite the battles, all incumbents were returned to office so the only new faces were City Councilor Gerry Roy and School Committee member Sandra A. Peret, who ran for vacant seats.

The event started with Keith W. Rattell, who won re-election to a four-year term, being sworn in by retired City Clerk Nancy A. Mulvey, who is a justice of the peace. Rattell then followed by swearing in the two assessors, 13 city councilors and 10 school committee members.

Bissonnette was sworn in last by Rattell. His godson James Waldron, 9, who is the son of Assessor Laura McCarthy, assisted by holding the Bible that the mayor used.

Despite battles between Bissonnette and Rattell during the last election season, the ceremony was cordial. Rattell ended by wishing the mayor good luck in his next term.

While Bissonnette pledged unity, he said debate is good and part of democracy, even if it can be noisy at time. He pointed to protesters in countries such as Libya, Syria and Egypt, who have been fighting for free elections and democracy the United States has always had.

“We are going to take a good city and make it better and take a better city and make it great,” he said.

He said the city finances continue to be stable and mentioned several capital improvements that have improved the city over the years. He also talked about upcoming plans to build a new senior center and convert the former Chicopee High School into a middle school.

In his speech, Bissonnette also mentioned his on-going efforts to modernize city governments, but did not mention specifics.

Others who were sworn in were assessors Stanley M. Iwanicki and Virginia Robak, city councilors William M. Zaskey, Robert J. Zygarowski, Jean J. Croteau Jr., Frank N. Laflamme, James K. Tillotson, Donald G. Demers, Dino A. Brunetti, Charles M. Swider, John, L. Vieau, Frederick T. Krampits, Timothy S. McLellan, George R. Moreau and Roy.

School Committee members who were sworn in were Michael J. Pise, Marjorie A. Wojcik, Adam D. Lamontagne, David G. Barsalou, Deborah A. Styckiewicz, Susan S. Lopes, Donald J. Lamothe, Sharon M. Nawrocki, Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello and Peret. At-large member Chester J. Szetela serves in a four-term and was not up for re-election this year. The mayor serves as the chairman and the 12th member.

“I’m looking forward to it and see what new challenges that await for the upcoming year,” Peret said.

For now her focus is studying a box-full of information sent to her from the School Department on her duties of serving.

Roy said one of his goals in the upcoming year is to develop a city program that would get students more involved and possibly work with senior citizens.

“I’ve met with most of the city councilors. Everyone has the best interest of the city at heart,” he said.

The Republican | John SuckockiChicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette gives his inaugural address after being sworn in to serve his fourth term on Monday at Elms College.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Theresa Forcier

Theresa J. Forcier, 85, of Westfield died Wednesday. She was born in Holyoke, attended local schools in Holyoke and graduated from Fisher Junior College. She lived in Chicopee for many years before moving to Westfield. Forcier worked at Mount Holyoke College, was an executive secretary for Scott Graphics, Smith and Wesson and MassMutual and did office support for the American Registry of Medical Assistants. She enjoyed doing ceramics, cooking, baking, reading and gardening.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• 
  Aliengena, Ronald A.
  



• 
  Anderson, Kenneth N.
  




• 
  Arnold, Thomas W.
  



• 
  Belisle, Sylvio R. "Steve"
  



• 
  Burt, Randall F. "Randy"




• 
  Castillo, Jane (Lewis)
  



• 
  Chmura, Thomas J.
  




• Collins, Margaret A.
  




• 
  Dugan, Scott M. "Scotty"
  



• 
  Forcier, Theresa J.




• 
  Giverson, Ruth M. (Derosia)
  



• 
  Helmes, Edward H.
  




• Hogan, Mary R.
  




• 
  Kallmeyer, Edwin "Sam"
  



• 
  Krupa, Mabel (Syzdek)




• 
  Kwiecien, Mark A.
  



• 
  LaBonte, Shirley H.
  




• McNair, James H.
  




• 
  Mitchell Jr., William M.
  



• 
  Nadeau, Robert Emile




• 
  Ostrander, Vernon A.
  



• 
  Rolley, Helen E. (Hoshko)
  




• Starzyk Sr., John B.
  




• 
  Tatro, Joseph D.
  



• 
  Welch, Frederick L. "Manny"

The body of an Iraq war veteran suspected in the slaying of a Mount Rainier National Park ranger was believed to have been found in chest-deep snow on Monday, authorities said.

Randy L. Rasmussen/The OregonianThe entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, where the flag flies at half-staff, remains closed Monday morning as law enforcement officers search for Benjamin Colton Barnes.

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) — The body of an Iraq war veteran suspected in the slaying of a Mount Rainier National Park ranger was believed to have been found in chest-deep snow on Monday, authorities said.

Authorities believe Benjamin Colton Barnes, 24, fled to the remote park following an earlier shooting that wounded four near Seattle, sparking a search by SWAT team members and other police.

The body believed to be Barnes was found face down in the snow, said Washington State Patrol spokesman Guy Gill. The identity was not confirmed.

Almost all park visitors were evacuated from the area following the shooting of ranger Margaret Anderson. The park remained closed for a second day Monday.

AP Photo/Pierce County Sheriff's Dept.In this undated photo provided by the Pierce County Sheriff's Dept., Benjamin Colton Barnes, is shown. Officials said Barnes is a person of interest in the fatal shooting of a park ranger at Mount Rainier National Park on Sunday.

Barnes has had a troubled transition to civilian life, with accusations he suffers post-traumatic stress disorder and is suicidal.

He was involved in a custody dispute in Tacoma in July, during which his toddler daughter's mother sought a temporary restraining order against him, according to court documents.

The woman told authorities he was suicidal and possibly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after deploying to Iraq in 2007-2008, and had once sent her a text message saying "I want to die."

She alleged that he gets easily irritated, angry and depressed and keeps an arsenal of weapons in his home. She wrote that she feared for the child's safety.

Undated photos provided by police showed a shirtless, tattooed Barnes brandishing two weapons, a large rifle and a smaller firearm with a large clip.

In November 2011, a guardian ad litem recommended parenting and communication classes for both parents and recommending Barnes be allowed to continue supervised visits with the child, two days a week.

That visitation schedule was to continue until he completed a domestic violence evaluation and mental health evaluation and complied with all treatment recommendations.

On New Year's, there was an argument at a house party in Skyway, south of Seattle, and gunfire erupted, police said. Barnes was connected to the shooting, said Sgt. Cindi West, King County Sheriff's spokeswoman.

Two of the three people who fled the scene were located. West said authorities were trying to find Barnes and had been in contact with his family to ask them to convince him to step forward and "tell his side of the story."

At Mount Rainier around 10:20 a.m. Sunday, the gunman had sped past a checkpoint to make sure vehicles have tire chains, which are sometimes necessary in snowy conditions, Bacher said.

One ranger began following him while Anderson, a 34-year-old mother of two young children who was married to another Mount Rainier park ranger, eventually blocked the road to stop the driver.

Before fleeing, the gunman fired shots at both Anderson and the ranger that trailed him, but only Anderson was hit.

Anderson would have been armed, as she was one of the rangers tasked with law enforcement, Bacher said. Pierce Co. Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said she was shot before she had even got out of the vehicle.