The EVENING NEWS is published Monday - Friday as well as Saturday mornings.
The News covers Westfield, Southwick and the Hilltowns.
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — City police are investigating an armed robbery reported by a gasoline station attendant Tuesday night. The incident, which occurred at the Westfield Mobil gas station at 162 Southampton Road, occurred at 10:43 p.m. when a male suspect entered the store and handed a note to the clerk stating that he had [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The Police Commission appointed two full-time police officers Monday night. The commission, selecting from the department’s list of reserve officers, voted to appoint Michael T. Kane and Richard A. Mazza to the full-time force effective Feb. 3, 2010. Kane and Mazza will attend the Criminal Justice Training Academy session slated to [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — A combination of frozen ground and heavy rain caused localized flooding in many areas of the city Monday. Department of Public Works Superintendent James Mulvenna said that crews worked to open clogged street storm drains, but that the heavy rain overwhelmed the city’s drainage system in many locations. “It was a combination [...]
WESTFIELD – The holidays are behind us and spring is nowhere near the corner! We have an evening of entertainment that just might brighten up your post-holiday blues. The Westfield Theatre Group, a department of the Westfield Woman’s Club, will be presenting an EVENING OF ONE-ACTS. Show dates are January 22, 23, 29 [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — Voters in this city and Southwick turned out in numbers this morning, despite steadily falling sleet, to cast their ballots to fill the seat in the U.S. Senate held by the late Edward M. Kennedy until his death on Aug. 27, 2009. The polls opened at 7 a.m. locally with voters [...]
By BERNADETTE JOHNSON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The Amelia Park Children’s Museum is taking its Penguin Plunge back to the beach after last year’s pool plunge on the Westfield Green failed to make the splash organizers had intended. “It was still very successful as far as funds raised and bringing people to town,” said Chris Gezotis, one of [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — A homeless couple are being held in the Hampden County Jail after they were arraigned yesterday on charges of beating and seriously injuring a 2-year-old boy and his 8-month-old sister. Alexandro Guevara and his girlfriend — the children’s mother — Damaris Sanchez were ordered held by Judge Philip Contant following their [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — The new municipal dog shelter will be opened in a little more than two weeks. Animal Control Officer Ken Frazer said that nine kennels were constructed this week, using block to increase the noise mitigation at the shelter, which is located on Apremont Way next to Barnes Municipal Airport. “We still have [...]
By BERNADETTE JOHNSON Staff Writer WESTFIELD — When your chief purpose is coming to the aid of people in need, primarily when disaster strikes, preparedness is your bottom line, and the American Red Cross is all about reminding people of that during the month of September, which it has designated National Preparedness Month. “We’re all about preparedness [...]
By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD — Department of Public Works Director James Mulvenna will be seeking funding to replace trucks when he meets with Mayor Daniel M. Knapik later this week. Mulvenna reported to the Board of Public Works Tuesday night that he will request funding to replace three of the city’s recycling trucks at the transfer [...]
WESTFIELD — The Fire Commission appointed two firefighters and a paramedic to the department this week.
The commission conducted two interview sessions, on Monday for the firefighter candidates and on Wednesday for the paramedics.
Fire Chief William Phelon said Friday that the appointments are pending until the candidates pass a physical examination and a fitness test.
The commission interviewed eight candidates for two firefighter positions, selecting the two highest ranked candidates, who are both veterans of military service in Iraq.
Phelon said that the Fire Commission called for a Civil Service list which typically would have contained five names based on a formula of 2X+1 where X is the number of positions being filled. However four candidates were tied for the fifth slot on that list, and all four names were submitted to the commission for consideration.
Matthew Pacinella and Thomas Silva, both of Westfield, were named to the two firefighter positions. …
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — Powder Mill Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade students will be able to compete in high school level field hockey and wrestling, after the Southwick-Tolland Regional School Committee approved Athletic Director Frank Montagna’s request.
Montagna wrote to the committee asking that the younger students be allowed to participate at the junior varsity level to help fill out declining rolls.
“Our numbers for field hockey have dropped from 36 in 2008 … to 32 in 2009. With six students graduating, our numbers will be down to 26 if everyone returns,” he wrote to the committee.
Boys wrestling is in even greater danger. The team is currently fielding 13 wrestlers.
“We will be graduating seven students, leaving us with six if everyone returns,” Montagna wrote to the committee. “Wrestling requires 13 players to fill out all the weights classes, and each class would only be filled if those athletes fall into that weight class.” …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — A 51-year-old Northridge Road man was ordered held without the right to bail yesterday, after police said he repeatedly confessed to killing his longtime, live-in girlfriend..
The murder comes just days after the victim, Alice Connors, sought a restraining order in Westfield District Court, but not against her alleged killer.
James R. Kenyon listened from the dock yesterday in Westfield District Court as Judge Philip Contant entered a mandatory plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Kenyon is charged with strangling the 51-year-old Connors in their 30 Northridge Road home late Wednesday evening.
Police said Connors was a postal clerk at the Springfield bulk mail facility. Kenyon had worked as a manufacturing inspector but was apparently laid off from his West Springfield job last fall. He was unemployed at the time of the murder. …
DAVE CANTON
SOUTHWICK — Southwick officials are hoping for quick action on a plan to revamp Feeding Hills Road so the project can qualify for stimulus funding.
DPW Director Jeffrey Neece requested that the Board of Selectmen approve his request for $190,000 in Chapter 90 state road funds to pay for engineering for the project.
Requests for proposals were issued last year for the design phase of the project, and three companies responded. But, Neece said, there was no state or federal construction money available at that time.
Now, however, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has informed cities and towns that a second round of funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as stimulus money, will become available. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — The City Council voted Thursday night to refer a request to authorize Mayor Daniel M. Knapik to spend up to $200,000 on purchases to the Long Range Bonding Committee.
That request, to use certified free cash to make purchases that are “minor or of immediate need in nature” was presented by the Finance Committee.
Ward 1 Councilor Christopher Keefe, a member of the Finance Committee, said the spending authorization is the result of a discussion conducted in the Long Range Bonding Committee with Knapik, who suggested that many of the items contained in a $30 million list of services and capital purchases should be funded with cash rather than financed through bonding.
Keefe said many of the items on the capital expenditure list are estimated to cost $5,000 or less, while others of “immediate need” cost between $9,000 and $45,000. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — City Council committees will tackle the issue of street acceptance in March when it will determine which streets meet city specifications.
The issue was raised at the council session last night when the Zoning, Planning & Development Committee presented a negative recommendation for the acceptance of Fox Hill Road and referred the matter to the council’s Legislative & Ordinance Committee.
A property owner requested the acceptance of the road to create frontage needed to make a piece of land a legal building lot.
That petition has been reviewed by four city departments, Law, Engineering, Public Works and Community Development, which all recommended against acceptance because of issues.
Primarily among those issues, and the reason cited Thursday night by Ward 4 Councilor Mary O’Connell, a member of the Zoning, Planning & Development Committee, is that the city would have to take land from two other property owners whose lots are presently conforming with zoning requirements. Taking the land would cause those properties to become nonconforming, said O’Connell, in whose ward the proposed street is located. …
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — A 51-year-old Westfield woman is dead and police allege her longtime, live-in boyfriend strangled her last night.
Westfield Police Detective Lt. Paul Miller said this morning that Alice M. Connors was found dead in her 30 Northridge Road home late Wednesday night after her boyfriend, James R. Kenyon, made a 11:28 p.m. call to 911 to report that he had killed her.
Responding police officers said they found Kenyon sitting on the front stoop of the home when they arrived. When asked about the victim, he directed officers to the interior of the house
Police said they found Connors’ body lying in the couple’s living room. Miller said the victim still had a belt wrapped around her neck.
Kenyon was placed under arrest for murder.
Police said they had little information about either the victim or the defendant. According to city records, Connors is listed as a clerk while Kenyon is employed as an inspector.
At press time, Kenyon was awaiting arraignment in Westfield District Court.
Police said they had no record of domestic discord at that residence, and Miller said Kenyon refused to talk to police once he was brought to headquarters. No motive for the alleged murder has been determined. …
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — A 74-year-old Westfield woman complained to police Wednesday that she had received a letter from a Nevada convict who accused her of being a pornography monger.
Det. Susan Figy responded to the complaint and reports she contacted officials at the Nevada prison where the letter writer is incarcerated.
WESTFIELD — The Planning Board voted to continue the public hearing on the proposed $400 million electrical generation plant to its March 16, 2010, session.
The Pioneer Valley Energy Center is seeking local special permits and site plan approval to construct the 400 megawatt gas-fired generation plant on Ampad Road, located off Servistar Industrial Way.
The Planning Board heard details of the project during three hours of testimony offered by the plant proponents, as well as questions of fact and comments offered by residents attending the public hearing Tuesday night.
The plant, if approved, will be constructed in an Industrial A zone, where it is a permitted use.
However, three special permits are needed because the massive plant exceeds a number of zoning code limits.
The codes limit the height of buildings in an Industrial A zone to 60 feet. The proposed building will have a height of 115 feet, while three exhaust stacks will range in height from 125 feet to 180 feet in height. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — The Finance Committee will request the City Council to consider spending up to $200,000 on capital purchases.
Ward 1 Councilor Christopher Keefe, a member of the Finance Committee, culled 25 capital spending items from the $30 million list of projects being considered by the Long-Range Bonding Committee at the request of Mayor Daniel M. Knapik.
Keefe said Monday that he selected “low hanging items that should not be included in a bond.”
“The Long-Range Bonding Committee requested that we remove small items that could be done through cash purchases,” Keefe said. “Bonding can be a long-drawn-out process. I hope we can expedite the process so we’re buying some of these items in February or March and not next summer.”
The list included items ranging from $500 for a color copier requested by the Community Development Department to $45,000 to install air conditioners requested by the Police Department for computer-equipment climate control. The total of the items is $192,660.
Keefe said that he did not include technology purchases because that should be done through the city’s Technology Center to ensure that all equipment is compatible with the city’s technology infrastructure. The City Council has approved a technology bond for that purpose every couple of years. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — A Springfield man faces 16 counts of breaking and entering and larceny charges after Westfield police located him on a Westfield street yesterday.
Luis M. Santiago-McCain Jr., 21, of 27 Beverly St. in Springfield, was escorted to the Westfield District Court on 16 separate warrants of apprehension after he failed to appear in court for a November arraignment date.
Police said Santiago-McCain was scheduled for arraignment Nov. 16 of last year, but failed to show up for his court date. Recently, an undisclosed agency contacted Westfield police to tell them Santiago-McCain was staying at a Westfield address. Police located him yesterday and took him to court.
According to statements made to the court, Santiago-McCain is the suspect in a rash of break-ins in and around the downtown area in 2007 and 2008. Most of the breaks were into student apartments during times when the students themselves had left the area for holidays or spring break. … Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — A golden retriever dog named Bear has the dubious distinction of being the first dog to be transported to the city’s new animal shelter on Apremont Way after the sanctuary was opened Tuesday.
Westfield’s Animal Control Officer Ken Frazer said today that the dog had been dropped off at Montgomery Road Animal Hospital (which served as the city’s shelter until 2006) by a motorist who had seen the dog walking on East Mountain Road. Frazer said that when the motorist stopped, the dog jumped into her car.
Frazer said that he had dealt with Bear before. His owners were contacted and arranged to claim him this morning
Frazer said that Bear was not the first to use the shelter as four dogs that had been in a temporary facility were moved into the newly renovated shelter at 178 Apremont Way when it was opened Tuesday.
He said that although he is still working with the mayor on plans for a ceremonial grand opening, the shelter is open and will be open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, “probably noon to five.” The new shelter “is going to be staffed completely by volunteers” Frazer said. “We’re taking applications now”. … Click to Subscribe!
CARL E. HARTDEGEN
SOUTHWICK — After 13 years of using long-block scheduling, full 90-minute classes taught over the course of a full semester, the Southwick-Tolland Regional High School will be experimenting with an old concept that may be new again.
Principal Pamela Hunter told the School Committee last night that she is instituting a pilot program for a group of students, during which one 90-minute block will be divided into two 45-minute sections, and shorter classes of Spanish and Algebra will be taught not for one semester, but over the course of the full academic year. … Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — The School Committee was requested to work with Head Start staff to transition the federal program to a new umbrella agency.
Last month, the School Committee voted to end its role as the Westfield Head Start “grantee” agency. That vote means that federal funding for the local Head Start program will be channeled through a new social service agency.
The Head Start staff asked the committee to stay with the program through the transition process and perhaps agree to delaying that transition for a year.
Kevin Sullivan, vice chairman of the School Committee, said this morning that many of the questions raised during the meeting will be answered Friday when local officials meet with a representative from the Head Start Regional Office. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — The City Council Finance Committee voted Monday night to make a positive recommendation of funding requests from the Building and Police departments.
The committee will recommend Thursday night that the council approve a $100,000 transfer from the Community Preservation Act account to the Building Department.
Building Superintendent Don York said the $100,000 will be used for the engineering work needed to repair City Hall.
“The next phase of work is to repair the roof and rain gutters and to repair and point the brick facade of the building,” York said last night during the Finance Committee session. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — The economic volatility at the state and federal levels is scaring Southwick Family Support Coalition Director Debbie Oppermann to the point that she told selectmen last night that alternative arrangements must be made to make sure the Southwick Food Pantry continues to operate, even if the Support Coalition doesn’t. And the Board of Selectmen is pledging to help as it can.
“We have been funded for the past 15 years with Department of Children and Family grants,” Oppermann told the board last night. “However, I am concerned that as of June 30, we will no longer be funded. I am most concerned about the Southwick Food Pantry, where we have up to 300 visits a month.”
Oppermann told the board that while she has not received firm word that she will no longer be funded, she said indications are the Support Coalition may not survive the next round of budget cuts. … Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — A heating oil delivery driver escaped injury Monday when a motorist failed to see a fuel truck parked on the shoulder of West Silver Street and slammed into the rear of the vehicle, which was stopped to make a delivery.
Westfield Police report that a call reporting the accident was received at 8:44 a.m. Officer Michael Curran was the first officer to arrive and reports that the 77-year-old motorist, Audrey O’Connell, of Wilson Avenue, said that she did not see the stopped truck before the accident. … Click to Subscribe! CARL E. HARTDEGEN
SOUTHWICK — The Board of Selectmen last night voted to reverse a longstanding town policy that prevented the Fire Department from pumping out residents’ flooded cellars, after the town’s insurance carrier agreed to cover any liability associated with the pumping.
Fire Chief Don Morris said this morning that the town shied away from using its equipment to pump out homeowners’ cellars, mainly due to possible transfer of contamination.
“When you pump a private property, you have no idea what is in the water,” he said. “If you put that somewhere else, you could be held liable.”
Previously, only an order from the Board of Selectmen or the Board of Health could get a cellar pumped, but last night the board agreed to rescind a previous Fire Commission policy and allow the use of town equipment if it is approved by the selectmen’s office. …. Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — The Hollywood premiere may have had more celebrities, but the local premiere of Mel Gibson’s new movie, “Edge of Darkness,” had as flashy an opening as anything seen in La La Land, just a little smaller.
Area people who worked as extras on the Gibson film when it shot scenes at various Northampton locations got together for their own red carpet moment Friday evening.
Led by Westfield District Court court officer Felix Otero, the group, including Assistant District Attorney Colleen Martin, Westfield District Court Clerk Irene Provost and defense attorney Donald Stolgitis, began their January 29 premiere with dinner at Piccollo’s followed by a limousine ride to the Showcase Cinemas in West Springfield. Northampton extra Linda Larivee joined them at the theater.
The red carpet was kept short due to the frosty temperatures outside the Riverdale Road theater, but it lasted long enough for the four local celebrities to make their entrance to the screams of fans, the flashes of the paparazzi and the hot lights of television cameras.
In the crowd of nearly 30 people, familiar faces could be seen, including the First Justice of the Westfield District Court Judge Philip Contant and his wife, Clerk Magistrate Carol Casartello, and various co-workers of the four. … Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — City residents are being invited to work on the implementation of the plan to revitalize the downtown.
The Downtown Planning Committee is requesting volunteers to help implement the recommendations of the Rethinking Downtown Westfield Final Report.
Development Director Larry Smith said the committee reviewed and divided the recommendations into three categories.
Those categories are: Downtown relations and Citizen Engagement; Downtown Marketing, Business Development and Planning; and Downtown Policy and Investment.
Smith said the committee has “refocused itself as the Downtown Action Committee” and is now seeking residents interested in serving on groups being formed to implement the action steps. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — A Westfield man learned the hard way Friday that basic rules of shooting range safety apply even before arrival at a gun range.
Westfield police report that a call was received at 4:25 Friday afternoon from a resident of Southwoods Acres who said that a friend had accidentally discharged a firearm inside the residence at 342 Southwick Road. … Click to Subscribe!
Pressman Andy Martin of the Westfield Evening News steps up to the Penguin Plunge challenge! Thank you Andy and good luck Kim!!!
WESTFIELD — The Conservation Commission voted Tuesday to allow demolition of structures at the City View Commons.
The commission authorized the petitioner, Frank R. Saia of 502 Frank Smith Road, Longmeadow, to demolish five structures and remove two foundations at the defunct housing project. The structures being removed are within 200 feet of a stream and fall under the commission’s purview through the state’s Wetlands Protection Act.
Karen Leigh, conservation coordinator, said the board approved the demolition and removal of debris following a public hearing where the work was described by property manager Mark Jenco of Chicopee, who is demolishing the blighted housing complex.
The buildings were built in the 1980s but the work was never completed, leaving structures in various states of completion. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — The Water Resource Department will have to fund several major projects costing in the millions.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti, speaking to the Water Commission earlier this week, said water mains under Broad and Main streets will be replaced while the $15 million road reconstruction project is under way.
The work, projected at $1 million, will be funded through the Water Resource Department.
The Main-Broad streets reconstruction project has been advertised by the state Department of Transportation, a process that seeks bids from construction companies interested in securing the contract.
The reconstruction work could begin as early as this summer and the city should be positioned to have its own contractor to replace the water mains under those traffic arteries, Cressotti said.
Cressotti said that water lines in the next phase of the gaslight district project, located between Arnold and Franklin streets, will cost another million. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — The bottom line question to town planners is how do you regulate building signs if there is no building?
The Planning Board Tuesday approved a site plan review for a Westfield Bank ATM machine to be located at Southwick Crossing at the intersection of College Highway and Congamond Road. The stand-alone kiosk will stand on 40 square feet of property leased from Southwick Crossing, LLC, land use consultant David L. Bean said this morning.
While planners did not want to hold up the project, they were confronted with a dilemma: Is the ATM a building or not?
Southwick zoning bylaws specify that signs on a building may be set only on one wall. The kiosk, however, has a roof-like overhang with the Westfield Bank logo on all four sides. …
Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — East Silver Street was closed to traffic early this morning when a tractor-trailer truck slammed into the former railroad bridge.
Officer Michael Gamache of the Traffic & Safety Bureau, said the accident occurred at 5:49 a.m. when a trucker from Tennessee became lost and ended up on East Silver Street.
The trucker, identified as James Taylor, 57, of Nashville, Tenn., had come off the Massachusetts Turnpike and was bound for the Home Depot Distribution Center at 1111 Southampton Road, but apparently made a right turn into the southbound lane instead of a left turn onto the northbound lane to reach his designation.
Taylor was attempting to get back through the city when his rig collided with a steel I beam of the railroad bridge, peeling back about three quarters of the 53-foot box trailer, Gamache said. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — Members of the City Council’s License Committee discussed several pending issues with Community Development Director Larry Smith Wednesday night.
One of those issues is the status of the Pride Convenience Limited Partnership license request for fuel tanks needed to construct a gasoline station behind the Friendly’s Restaurant on Southampton Road.
Robert Bolduc, owner of Pride, is seeking to construct a facility similar to the convenience store and gas station completed a year ago on East Main Street.
The proposed Pride station is part of a larger commercial development, which included a Holiday Inn Express that is currently open for business. … Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
WESTFIELD — A City Council committee will recommend that the city not accept Fox Hill Road as a city street.
A resident of the street petitioned the City Council to accept the street in order to create frontage needed to make a lot a legal building lot.
The council referred the petition to the Zoning, Planning and Development Committee for further consideration.
The committee discussed the petition with Community Development Director Larry Smith Wednesday night prior to voting to make a negative recommendation to the full council.
Smith said that the Fox Hill subdivision project was a circle accessed from City View Boulevard.
Smith said that at some point two additional roads, Fox Hill and Surrey Lane, were extended from the subdivision to connect with Whitaker Road, but were never accepted by the Planning Board as part of the original project . …Click to Subscribe!
DAN MORIARTY
SOUTHWICK — Town Clerk Michelle Hill administered the oath of office to three new Zoning Board of Appeals members Monday night, as the Board of Selectmen appointed two new alternate members and elevated one alternate to be a full member of the three-man board.
Thomas Stapleton took the oath as a full member of the board after serving as an alternate. He will replace David DeDelori who resigned his seat. … Click to Subscribe!
DAVE CANTON
WESTFIELD — Westfield detectives are investigating a rash of motor vehicle break-ins that occurred late last night and early this morning.
The first incident came to light Wednesday evening around 11 when a William Street resident reported an attempted break-in. The resident said that he spotted the perpetrator fleeing from the area of his vehicle when a motion sensor was activated.
The alleged victim reported that his vehicle was rummaged through, but nothing appeared to be stolen.
Other local residents were not quite as fortunate. … Click to Subscribe!
CHRIS PUTZ
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Town Assessors found themselves in the middle of a much bigger meeting than they expected last night, when some 35 taxpayers, most from the lakes area of the town, packed the board’s regular meeting, demanding answers for the 2010 triennial revaluations. “My property tax has gone up 43 percent since 2005,” [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Just as a new local dock permitting program and fee are coming into play for Congamond Lake residents, town officials are looking at a new boat permit program to generate even more revenues. But officials emphasize the new program will not duplicate boat fees for lake area residents. “I think we [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — State officials have approved Southwick’s Local Permitting Process for Congamond Lake docks and water-borne structures. Lealdon Langely, program director for the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Wetlands and Waterways Program notified the town of its acceptance of the Southwick program, the first such program set up under the state enabling [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The Southwick Historical Society plan to reconstruct the former Gillett cigar factory on a parcel of property it owns on lower College Highway does not need a special permit from the Planning Board, a town attorney has decided. At the same time, a traffic study of the area indicates that [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The town will continue with its “Gravel Road Improvement Program,” DPW director Jeffrey Neece told the Board of Selectmen last night, as he reported on the use of state Chapter 90 road improvement funds for the state. The program has already improved Honey Pot Road, which was widened and paved, and [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The Southwick-Tolland School Committee gave its approval to assist a state application for a $250 million federal Stimulus funded “Race To The Top” program grant. The new federal program would evaluate individual teachers and principals with an eye to removing poor performing educators from the nation’s classrooms. Superintendent of Schools John Barry [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — A safety fence on the state-funded Rails to Trails project that town officials have asked for months will finally be installed — by the town. DPW Director Jeffrey Neece said yesterday that a barrier fence across the top of the 14-foot-high culvert, or tunnel, under Point Grove Road will be installed [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — A young Southwick woman was critically injured early this morning when the car she was driving slammed into a utility pole on Klaus Anderson Road, pinning her in the wreckage for nearly three hours. Police said 20-year-old Jessica L. Wilder, of 16 Tammy Lane in Southwick, was extricated from the wreckage [...]
By DAVE CANTON Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — Southwick-Tolland Regional School District administrators are pleased to see some $18 million in cuts made to regional transportation reinstated by Gov. Deval Patrick. Paul Petit, assistant superintendent for business for the district, said last night that the governor’s retraction of the 9C midyear cuts ordered at the end of October, [...]
By BERNADETTE JOHNSON Staff Writer and FREDERICK GORE Correspondent SOUTHWICK — While a few ice fishermen spent the New Year’s holiday weekend on the ice at Congamond Lake, many more were still angling for licenses. “I believe that fishermen aren’t coming out because they haven’t gotten their licenses yet,” said Reserve Police Officer Jesse Rizzo, who was checking licenses at [...]
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — The Southwick-Tolland Regional High School girls’ basketball team got a taste of what it is like to be every opponent of the Lady Huskies. While Palmer did not win the WMass Division II tournament last season — the Panthers (14-0) are unbeaten through two regular seasons — they are clearly one [...]
By CHRIS PUTZ Staff Writer SOUTHWICK — While Cathedral’s glory days as a sports powerhouse may be well behind them, one local coach might just have to disagree with that statement. “They’ve been down for a couple of years, but it’s tough to compete with them,” Southwick-Tolland Regional third-year coach Mike Gill said after the Panthers defeated his [...]
Celtics 113, 76ers 110 BOSTON (AP) — Rajon Rondo scored six points during a key run early in the fourth quarter, nailed a shot clock-beating jumper on the baseline in the closing seconds, and the Celtics overcame poor 3-point shooting to beat the 76ers. Paul Pierce led Boston with 27 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer early in [...]
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) sits on the bench in the closing minutes of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Miami on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. The Dolphins won 22-21. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) STEVEN WINE AP Sports Writer MIAMI (AP) — The New England Patriots’ road woes sent Tom Brady to his knees [...]
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods was seriously injured early Friday when he hit a fire hydrant and a tree near his Florida home, authorities said. The Florida Highway Patrol said the PGA star hit the fire hydrant and tree as he pulled out of his driveway in his 2009 Cadillac sport utility vehicle. Woods was taken [...]
DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Rex Ryan sent a message to the fans. His New York Jets delivered one of their own. Rookie Mark Sanchez outplayed a Super Bowl champion quarterback and the Jets backed up their big talk, shutting down Tom Brady and the New England Patriots 16-9 on Sunday. “We believe [...]
BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Back on center stage, Tom Brady acted like, well, the NFL’s biggest star. It seemed to take forever, though. A year after being sidelined with torn knee ligaments, Brady resembled a rusty game manager more than the invincible record-setting quarterback who guided the Patriots to a perfect 2007 regular season. [...]
BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — Matt Hosman hit a game-winning grand slam in the seventh inning, and Massachusetts has beaten Rhode Island 11-7 to earn a spot in the Little League World Series. The Massachusetts team, Peabody West, advances to play Southwest Region champion Texas West, a team from San Antonio, on Friday in Williamsport, Pa. The Rhode [...]
SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Victor Martinez looks like he’ll fit right in during another pennant race in Boston. The transplant from Cleveland had his biggest hit since being traded to the Red Sox, a go-ahead double with two outs in a six-run ninth inning that gave Boston an 8-4 victory over the Texas [...]
By JEFF HANOUILLE Staff Writer PITTSFIELD – The Westfield North 11 and 12-year-old Little League All-Stars are in unfamiliar territory now. Suffering a 9-1 loss to Pittsfield South Thursday evening in the first round of the Massachusetts Section 1 Tournament – it’s first loss this summer – the team will now have to win out in the double-elimination [...]
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Feb 08, 2010Westfield Colleen
Orlando Magic guard Vince Carter, right, and Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo battle for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. The Magic won 96-94. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
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Jan 29, 2010Rondo on the floor
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Nov 16, 2009Business News - Monday, Novembber 16, 2009
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Nov 11, 2009Arts and Leisure for Thursday, November 12, 2009
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Nov 11, 2009Sports, WEN, Wednesday, Npovember 11, 2009
2010 Revaluation of Property - Town of Russell
RUSSELL - The Russell Board of Assessors have received Preliminary Certification for 2010. This is all part of the 2010 re-valuation of property now taking place in Russell.
The next step in the process is to have the VALUATION LIST available for viewi...
HUNTINGTON - Gateway Regional School District Notice of Meetings (a portion of these meetings may be held in executive session. School Committee Meetings - Regular Meeting, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gateway Library; Regular Meet...
Save the Date: Optimal Health Day is March 6
WESTFIELD - The Westfield Woman's Club Evening Division will hold its third Optimal Health Day on Saturday, March 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 28 Court Street in Westfield. This event brings together local businesses and organizations that provide...
PodCamp WesternMass II – The Sequel!
New Media 'Unconference' Returns, Hosted by Westfield State College
WESTFIELD – Back by popular demand less than a year after its debut, PodCamp Western Mass. will return on Feb. 6 at Westfield State College.
A PodCamp is one example of a...
Conservation Commission Seeks Applicants
WESTFIELD - The Conservation Commission is seeking applicants preferably with an Environmental Engineering Degree or sufficient experience with wetlands and wetland regulations to serve 3 year terms. The Commission meets the second and fourth Tuesday o...
Iran to stop enrichment if given nuclear fuel
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- The head of the Iran's atomic agency says it will not enrich uranium to a higher level if the West provides fuel for the Tehran research reactor....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:46:56 GMT
Obama's health care summit: Just for show?
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Could this turn into something more than political theater? President Barack Obama's televised dialogue with Republican lawmakers on health care, promised for later this month, has the makings of an entertaining exchange. But the differences between the basic Democratic and GOP ideas are stark - and the two sides have increasingly hardened their positions in this election year....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:05:55 GMT
AP Interview: NY's Paterson lashes back at rumors
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Gov. David Paterson on Monday lashed back at what he called a "callous and sleazy" assault on his character in statehouse rumors and media reports that include accusations about womanizing and drug use, allegations he flatly denied....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:14:07 GMT
Rep. John Murtha, voice for veterans, dies at 77
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Rep. John Murtha, the tall, gruff-mannered former Marine who became the de facto voice of veterans on Capitol Hill and later an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War, died Monday following complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:50:21 GMT
Toyota recalls 437,000 Prius, hybrids globally
TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems - the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world's largest automaker....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:19:34 GMT
Seats at a premium on planes, trains out of DC
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A $20 cab ride to the airport skyrocketed to the "snow rate" of $100 in the nation's capital, and those travelers who could get to the airport or train station still had to haggle or wait in long lines to escape the snowbound Mid-Atlantic....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:39:24 GMT
Astronauts inspect shuttle on way to space station
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Endeavour's astronauts inspected their ship early Tuesday for any launch damage as they raced toward a 200-mile-high rendezvous with the International Space Station....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:11:04 GMT
World's tallest tower closed a month after opening
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The world's tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:06:10 GMT
Ringo Starr honored with Walk of Fame star
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A star for former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame Monday evening during a whimsical ceremony that also marked the 50th anniversary of the sidewalk attraction's groundbreaking....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 07:34:04 GMT
Carter's 48 points help Magic beat Hornets
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Vince Carter had a season-high 48 points, leading the Orlando Magic back from a 17-point second-half deficit to beat the New Orleans Hornets 123-117 on Monday night....Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:03:15 GMT
