Catch up on the news you might have missed over the weekend.
Residents of Joplin, Mo, walk west on 26th Street near Maiden Lane after a tornado hit the southwest Missouri city on Sunday evening, May 22, 2011. The tornado tore a path a mile wide and four miles long destroying homes and businesses. Read the full story »Rounding up some of the major news stories from Western Massachusetts and beyond for the weekend of May 21-22:
The Ugly Truth: Some Massachusetts Superfund sites are still toxic nearly 30 years and more than $1 billion later
No one, not even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, knows whether humans are still being exposed to a witch’s brew of chemicals, federal records show.
Is UMass about to replace Chancellor Robert Holub?
If UMass does not renew Holub's contract, it will mark the fourth time in 10 years the university will have a new chancellor.
Apocalypse not now: Rapture 2011 leaves some believers confused, while others take it in stride
When 6 p.m. came and went across the United States and various spots around the globe, and no extraordinary cataclysm occurred, some believers expressed confusion, while others reassured each of their faith.
Springfield
Springfield stabbing victim remembered as a good father, hard worker
Carlos Gonzalez Beslanga's fiancee and oldest children -- a 7-year-old and 9-year-old -- were present when the alleged killer pulled out a knife and stabbed Beslanga, according to Mayra Padilla.
Springfield police continue to probe North End homicide, the city's 8th this year
Carlos G. Beslanga, 32, of Newington, died from a single stab wound to the chest, according to Springfield police, who are searching for two North End residents in connection with the crime.
Organizers say Springfield Vintage Grand Prix races in jeopardy
A key stumbling block is that the city wants to organizers to provide a $300,000 performance bond to cover city costs including police details and the Department of Public Works, according to organizers.
Holyoke
More Holyoke bear sightings prompt police warning: Don't provoke the bruins
With bear sightings on the uptick in Holyoke, city police are reminding residents who live in areas frequented by bears to stay cool and leave them alone.
Northampton
Bridge extension linking Manhan and Norwottuck Rail Trails officially opens with ribbon-cutting ceremony
Seventeen years of work came to a symbolic end Sunday when the ribbon was cut on the Rt. 10 bridge extension linking the city to Northampton via the Manhan and Norwottuck Rail Trails.
Soccer at Oxbow fields to continue under terms of old permit, despite Northampton Planning Board ruling
Residents said that traffic from soccer games and practices on fields near the Oxbow Marina had created a safety hazard and changed the pace of life in the neighborhood.
Western Mass Graduations, in words and photos
AIC celebrates 126th commencement at MassMutual Center | Photo gallery »
Mount Holyoke graduates 564 with bachelor's degrees | Photo gallery »
Last crop of WNEC grads celebrate commencement | Photo gallery »
Hampshire College graduates told to make the world a better place | Photo gallery »
Westfield State Class of 2011 called unique
Amherst College holds 190th commencement; departing president gives address
Entertainment
Staind drummer Jon Wysocki out of rock band; fans left to wonder why
There was little explanation for the shake-up in the most successful rock‘n’roll band to come out of Western Massachusetts.
Opinion & Commentary
Viewpoint: Springfield City Council can stop biomass plant
Whether we want any more pollution is a local question—one that DEP does not ask and cannot answer. Whether we want our children exposed to even higher levels of pollution than we already have, is again, a local question.
Viewpoint: Biomass is clean, smart and safe
Our project is the cleanest biomass facility ever proposed in the United States and MassDEP will require us to use the “best available control technology” on the market today for our air pollution control system.
Tom Shea: Tom's nod to Seth Rogovoy on his Nod to Bob Dylan
“It is impossible to summarize or enumerate or categorize to analyze Bob Dylan’s affect on my life. It’s the way I walk, the way I sing, the way I write, what I write about, and the way I think. For better or worse, he’s the single artist who has most profoundly affected me.”
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