Utilities struggle to restore service

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

Utility crews representing local electricity providers worked into the night Thursday to restore power to thousands of regional customers still without power after a major storm system ripped through the Valley around midnight.

Sandra Ahearn, spokeswoman for the Western Massachusetts Electric Co., said when it came to the number of area customers left in the dark, Wednesday's storm was "second only to the ice storm of December 2008," which left more than 1 million state residents without power.

"We had to get the roads open before we could get crews in there to repair downed lines," Ahearn said.

She said the company dispatched a helicopter patrol and more than 120 line crews Thursday, most of which were working alongside private contractors and crews from sister utilities to clear felled trees and repair damaged lines.

"We are going to be working around the clock until power is restored to all of our customers," Ahearn said. The company expects to restore electricity by this evening to the approximately 1,600 Hampshire County customers still without power at 9 p.m. Thursday.

National Grid crews were also working overnight Thursday to return power to scores of Valley customers. Of the utility's 30,000 Hampshire County customers, more than 100 were still powerless in Belchertown, Granby and Northampton as of 9 p.m. Thursday, according to a report on the company's website.

Although she didn't know how many customers were without service Thursday, Verizon spokeswoman Ellen Cummings said interruptions were widespread and every effort was being made to restore service to all those affected.

Phone and Internet provider One Communications also spent much of Thursday clearing trees rather than repairing lines. Spokeswoman Amy Ashe said outages persisted in Northampton and Greenfield.

"We had poles knocked down by trees and what happened was we couldn't get access to the point where we were replacing fibers until about 3:30 this afternoon," Ashe said. "We are hoping to have service restored to all of our customers by sometime Friday morning."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

DEP fines Northampton home-owner $6,000 for asbestos dumping

NORTHAMPTON - The state's Department of Environmental Protection levied a $6,000 fine against local property owner Paul L. Holt Wednesday for violating state asbestos regulations when removing siding from a two-family rental on Day Avenue.

According to a release issued by the department, in July 2007, MassDEP conducted a site investigation at 23 and 25 Day Ave., and discovered that in order to remove asbestos transite-shingle siding, Holt was loading the shingles into trash bags and transporting them to another property, where the bags were thrown into a Dumpster.

Under the terms of a consent order issued by the department, Holt is now required by law to comply with asbestos regulations in the future and has agreed to pay a penalty of $6,000.

"Improper removal and handling of asbestos-containing materials places tenants as well as the general public at risk," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield.

More information on asbestos, including health effects and proper disposal methods, can be found on MassDEP's web site: http://www.mass.gov/dep/air/asbguid.htm.

- OWEN BOSS

Record-shattering heat bakes the Valley

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

Wednesday's record-breaking high temperatures had residents across the Valley switching on the air conditioning and looking for any way to beat the heat.

According to the National Weather Service, Wednesday's high of 97 degrees, recorded at 4 p.m. at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, shattered the previous record for the day of 90 degrees, set on May 26, 1965.

"I knew it was going to be hot and I heard on the radio that there was a good chance that we were going to break a daily record," said Cynthia Roberts, of Florence, who stopped by Musante Beach in Leeds Wednesday afternoon with her daughter and partner to escape the hot and humid weather.

As for the water? Roberts said stepping in was far more pleasant than she expected it to be in late May.

"It was absolutely gorgeous," Roberts said. "We expected it to be freezing, but it was wonderful."

The unseasonable heat can be attributed to a far-reaching northern jet stream that News 22 Meteorologist Brian Lapis said allowed for warmer southern air to sweep up through southern New England.

"Whenever we get a jet stream that far to our north, it tends to open up the door for high temperatures more typical of the Southern states this time of year," Lapis said.

Heavy thunderstorms moved in from the north late Wednesday, and although hot and muggy weather will continue into the day today, Lapis said he expects showers or thunderstorms this afternoon will usher in cooler temperatures lasting into the holiday weekend.

"Over the next two days that same jet stream is going to work its way back south, and it will bring with it some cooler air from the north," Lapis said. "I'm forecasting high temperatures in the 70s for Friday and Saturday, a high of 86 on Sunday, and we could reach as high as 90 degrees on Memorial Day with a couple of scattered showers."

Lapis said he doesn't expect the rain to be enough to disrupt any local Memorial Day celebrations.

"I don't think we are going to end up with a ton of rain or a hard soaking rain on Monday," Lapis said.

According to the Center for Disease Control's website, when dealing with unusually high temperatures it is particularly important to keep an eye on those at highest risk of heat-related illnesses, including infants, young children, senior citizens and the mentally ill.

The best ways to prevent heat-related illnesses, according to the site, are to drink a lot of fluids, stay indoors or in an air-conditioned environment whenever possible and wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.

Another concern associated with unseasonably high temperatures is for the welfare of local pets, said Dr. Ellie Shelburne, a veterinarian at the Northampton Veterinary Clinic on South Street, where several older pets were brought in to cool off Wednesday afternoon.

"When dealing with heat the more serious problems are typically associated with dogs, because cats seem to help themselves when it comes to staying cool and dogs tend to overdo it," Shelburne said. "The best thing you can do is make sure they have plenty of water, shave them down if they have a thick coat or soak them down with the hose if they've been out exercising."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

3 communities now 'Green', eligible for state dollars

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

Belchertown, Easthampton and Northampton were among 35 cities and towns named to the state's first "Green Communities" list Tuesday, qualifying them for more than $8 million in grants for local renewable power and energy efficiency projects.

Local officials were thrilled to hear about the designation, especially the potential to access state dollars.

"I think this designation speaks highly to our commitment as a community to being green and to trying to make our city as sustainable as possible in every way," said Northampton's City Council President David J. Narkewicz, who is also a member of the city's Energy and Sustainability Commission.

In Easthampton, City Planner Stuart Beckley praised the efforts of the mayor and city council in advocating for green technologies and said he hopes the designation will help secure funding for one or more local energy projects.

"I think this shows that the mayor and our city council believe strongly that energy reduction and finding alternative energy sources is important," Beckley said.

The funding will be distributed by the state's Department of Energy Resources' Green Communities Grant Program.

The grants aim to reward communities that were designated green for meeting five clean energy benchmarks, which include adopting zoning or bylaw ordinances meant to ease the way and expedite permitting for green energy projects; establishing a municipal energy use baseline and a program designed to reduce use by 20 percent in five years; purchasing only fuel-efficient vehicles for municipal use; and requiring that all new residential construction over 3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate construction reduce their life-cycle energy costs.

Beckley in Easthampton said he doesn't know exactly what kind of projects the city will apply for, but said a consultant has been hired to look into possible opportunities.

In Northampton, Narkewicz said a formal proposal is still being crafted by Chris Mason, Northampton's energy and sustainability officer, but he believes two solar panel projects will likely be included.

Those projects, planned for Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School and Jackson Street School, would require installation of panels on the school's roofs and would reduce the amount of electricity needed to power the buildings.

Northampton is also on the verge of inking a $6.5 million energy services contract with a firm that will tackle about 125 energy-conservation and renewable energy projects at nearly three-dozen public buildings. The city might apply for state money to offset some of those costs, said David Pomerantz, director of the city's Central Services Department.

"Being a Green Community will now give us even more options for the performance contract work," Pomerantz told several councilors at a budget hearing Tuesday night.

May 14 was the deadline for cities and towns to apply for a Green Community designation in order to qualify for the first round of $8.1 million in Green Community grants.

Other municipalities that earned the designation were Acton, Arlington, Athol, Andover, Becket, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Greenfield, Hamilton, Hanover, Holyoke, Hopkinton, Kingston, Lancaster, Lenox, Lexington, Lincoln, Lowell, Mashpee, Medford, Melrose, Montague, Natick, Newton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Salem, Springfield, Sudbury, Tyngsboro, Wenham and Worcester.

All towns added to the list have until June 4 to submit applications for grants that will be awarded in late June.

In addition to grant eligibility, each Green Community designated Tuesday will receive a Big Belly solar waste compactor, to be delivered before June 30. Big Belly compactors can hold several times more trash and litter than similarly-sized trash receptacles, reducing the number of garbage truck trips required to empty them.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettnet.com.

Springfield man held without bail for attempting to kill his girlfriend

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

BELCHERTOWN - A Springfield man was ordered held without right to bail Monday for allegedly strangling his girlfriend so severely Saturday that she was still recovering at Baystate Medical Center Monday.

Alexis Miranda, 24, pleaded innocent Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court to charges of attempted murder, assault and battery and intimidating a witness.

According to a police report filed by Belchertown police officer Michael J. Beaupre, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Miranda's girlfriend called police from Baystate Medical Center ,where she was recovering from injuries sustained during the alleged attack.

The victim told police that the she and Miranda, who had been in a relationship for 6 months, began arguing while walking on Route 9 after her son called Miranda by her ex-husband's name, according to the court documents.

Sometime during the argument, the victim told police Miranda placed both hands around her neck and applied pressure for more than a minute, causing her to black out and dry heave.

Shortly after the attack, the victim was taken to the Springfield hospital by a friend, where she was struggling to eat or drink, according to court documents.

On Sunday, the victim told police she received a call from a blocked telephone number but allegedly recognized Miranda's voice. During the call, she said he told her, "You better hope the cops find me before I find you," according to the report.

The victim was discharged from the hospital Monday afternoon, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Judge W. Michael Goggins ordered Miranda held without right to bail until a pretrial conference on Thursday.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Suspects in shooting arrested

Meadowbrook buildings evacuated as police make move

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON — The apprehension of two Springfield residents who police believe were involved in a shooting in Springfield Thursday night required a state police STOP team and resulted in the evacuation of four Meadowbrook Apartment buildings Friday afternoon.

According to Police Chief Russell P. Sienkiewicz, at 3 p.m., local and state police officers assigned to the Northwestern district attorney’s office learned that Jonathan W. Mitchell, 23, and Shaniqua Harris-Thomas, 21, were inside Building 27 at the Bridge Street apartment complex.

After an unsuccessful attempt to get the pair to surrender, local and state police taped off the area surrounding the building and escorted the some 60 residents living in buildings 25, 26, 27 and 28 to the complex’s Community Room.

At 5:30 p.m., a state police STOP team entered the apartment they believed the two were hiding in and arrested Mitchell and Thomas without incident.

Jacki Kaplanger, who has lived in a second-story unit in Building 28 for almost three years, said she was making dinner when a police officer ordered her to leave her apartment so she “wouldn’t get caught in the crossfire.”

“When you hear that from a police officer, it’s scary,” Kaplanger said, adding that when her current lease expires at the complex she plans to move to Florida and away from what she feels has become an unsafe neighborhood.

“This is just not for me anymore,” Kaplanger said. “We have a lot of children that live here. It’s getting to the point where they can’t play outside because it just isn’t safe.”

Springfield police obtained an arrest warrant for the pair Friday morning in connection with a shooting on Franklin Street that left a 23-year-old woman with a gunshot wound in her back.

Witnesses reportedly told police that the shooting victim was walking with friends near a Springfield park at 3 p.m. Thursday when Harris-Thomas jumped from her car and punched another woman several times in the face as Mitchell watched, according to published reports.

After the altercation, the two reportedly returned to their vehicle and as they drove off, Mitchell allegedly leaned out of the passenger window and fired a single shot, striking the victim in the back, according to published reports. It was unclear whether the shooting victim was the woman who was first assaulted.

According to release, Mitchell was arrested on charges of assault to murder with a firearm, assault and battery, and carrying a firearm without a permit, among other charges filed by the Springfield Police Department; Thomas was arrested on a charge of threatening to commit a crime.

Both are expected to be arraigned in Northampton District Court today.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

County towns eye mutual aid

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

HADLEY - As legislators put the final touches on a state budget that is expected to feature cuts in aid to cities and towns across the commonwealth, local officials got together Thursday night and swapped ideas about how county resources could be shared to save money and jobs.

More than 30 officials representing municipalities across Hampshire County converged on the local Senior Center and put their heads together in an attempt to create a "road map" for the future of the Hampshire Council of Governments.

Although only roughly half of those in attendance represented towns that were already members of the regional nonprofit organization, almost all said that pooling county resources would help them cope with the state's current budget crisis.

"The idea is that the road map we create tonight will not only be an overall vision for the organization but also a concrete action plan that will be connected to that vision for us to stick to," said Aron Goldman of the Springfield Institute, who facilitated the meeting. "We want to make sure that the council has a plan that makes sense and a plan that you are all vested in."

Although she noted that the larger municipalities like Amherst and Northampton left the organization in 2005 and have been reluctant to rejoin because they felt it was in their financial best interest to handle purchasing and cost-sharing ventures on their own, Eileen Stewart of Williamsburg, a member of the council's executive committee, said efforts are being made to woo them.

"We are reducing our dues as our revenue stream increases in order to make it easier for towns to belong ... So those of you who haven't should come on over and join because our dues are much lower than they ever used to be and they are on a downward spiral."

Another advantage to unifying cities and towns under a county banner is a louder voice in Boston when it comes to acquiring grant funding, said Martin Merrill of Granby, who serves as vice chairman of the council's executive committee.

"I'm a believer that the bigger numbers you have, the bigger voice you have when you are trying to get the attention of legislators in Boston," he said.

Many town officials at the meeting voiced their concerns about being able to maintain services offered in their towns, including Bob Heath, Huntington's Selectboard chairman, who said he is having a hard time just filling seats on volunteer boards.

"More than just saving money or locating funding, we are having a difficult time filling positions," Heath said. "For me that has got to be a top priority for the council - making sure those services are still available for our residents."

The 12 member towns of the Hampshire COG are Belchertown, Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Granby, Huntington, Middlefield, Pelham, Plainfield, Southampton, Westhampton and Williamsburg.

The cost to belong to the COG varies based on a given town's size, tax rate and other factors. The maximum that can be paid annually has been capped at $40,000, but four years ago, council officials decided to offer all towns a deal that would require them to pay only 25 percent of their dues if they agreed to stay enlisted for four years.

Belchertown, the council's largest member, pays $10,000; the second largest, Granby, pays $6,180 annually; Southampton pays $6,037; and the smallest member, Middlefield, pays $682.25 per year.

Throughout the meeting, local lawmakers divided into smaller groups to brainstorm ideas for cutting costs on a variety of budget line items, including human services, purchasing, inspection services and energy sources.

A website where local towns could list needed resources, a countywide energy source rooted in green technology and the sharing of town positions such as assessor or building inspector were among the ideas generated in those group discussions.

Also presented at the meeting was a survey, completed by 77 residents and city officials representing each town in the county, outlining potential changes in the structuring of the organization.

As a result of that survey, council members found that local officials favor the appointment of a new council administrator, a strong commitment to courting new members and creative approaches to utilizing alternative energy sources to provide area towns with cheap, sustainable energy.

To fill out the survey, or to see town-by-town results, visit the council's website, http://www.hampshirecog.org.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Hadley board settles police chain of command

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

HADLEY - Selectmen unanimously approved a motion Wednesday night establishing a clear chain of command at the local Police Department specifying that Town Administrator David G. Nixon will supervise the town's police chief.

The decision to officially label Nixon as the liaison between Selectboard members and Chief Dennis J. Hukowicz is consistent with a recommendation made by Stephen Unsworth, a retired Waltham police chief, during an evaluation of the department last year.

The town had contracted BadgeQuest, a consulting firm founded by Unsworth, to review the department's management structure, among other public safety functions. The review came in the wake of a probe into workplace harassment involving a supervising officer in 2008.

"A clear chain of command must be established and adhered to," Unsworth wrote in his report. "The police chief should be supervised by and report to the town administrator."

Shortly after the report was released, Hukowicz said he thought he should be free to discuss police matters with individual selectmen. Hukowicz reportedly told Unsworth that he reported to both Nixon and selectmen, a situation Unsworth called "a problem."

In early April, selectmen asked Hukowicz and Nixon to work on a draft policy establishing this chain of command. Under the approved chain of command presented Wednesday, patrol officers report to sergeants, who in turn report to the chief; the chief the reports to the town administrator, who will continue to take direction from selectmen.

Although the motion was passed without discussion Wednesday, Selectboard member Joyce A. Chunglo referred to conversation on the topic as "beating a dead horse" and said she would second the motion "one last time."

When approached for comment following the Selectboard's decision, Hukowicz said it was "old news" and declined to comment further.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Lawmakers see no chance of reversing state aid cuts

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Supporters of a Proposition 2½ override seeking a boost in state aid to cities and towns got little encouragement from area legislators at a meeting Monday night.

More than 60 people turned out for the meeting, which was sponsored by Yes!Northampton, a nonprofit group that emerged in support of recent Proposition 2½ overrides in the city, at the Community Room at JFK Middle School. Many called on Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst, and Rep. Peter Kocot, D-Northampton, to support bills that would restore the state tax rate on income and dividends to 12 percent, while exempting income of seniors, a plan members said would generate an estimated $500 million a year, almost exclusively from those at the top 5 percent of Massachusetts earners.

Although both Rosenberg and Kocot said that kind of legislation would help ease budget shortfalls on cities and towns statewide, they said the idea was not realistic given the commonwealth's current political climate. Kocot said the current budget crisis is bigger than any other in the recent past.

"The last two recessions, which were both described as the worst recessions since the Great Depression, lasted four and five years respectively and during those two recessions we had between a $4 billion and $6 billion problem," Kocot said. "Last year alone we dealt with a $5 billion gap and over the 22 months since the beginning of this recession, we've had a $9 billion problem to solve. This is beyond anything that we have ever faced."

Before passing out a documented roll call vote showing that only nine of 160 House member supported legislation to restore the tax rate to 12 percent, Kocot explained how legislators bridged a $5 billion budget gap in last year's budget and how they plan to close an estimated $2.7 billion in the upcoming fiscal year.

"I don't want to raise anyone's taxes. That is not the fun part of my job. But clearly, every community has needs and we need to raise additional revenues just to fund the basic services that we offer," Kocot said. "Clearly, 9/11, the meltdown on Wall Street, the wars that we have been waging in Afghanistan and Iraq have all diverted a great amount of revenue from this community and from the commonwealth."

Rosenberg shared Kocot's belief that an income tax increase would be extremely difficult to pass in the state Senate and referenced a similar vote this year to restore the state income tax to 5.7 percent.

"We had 11 out of 40 senators who voted in favor of that bill," Rosenberg said. "So the analysis that Peter gave you is a essentially consistent with what happened in the Senate and with what we can conceive happening going forward."

Rosenberg also mentioned that many state senators have vowed not to vote for new taxes in the 90 days remaining in the current term and others have said they won't vote for new taxes until the debate surrounding expanded gaming in the commonwealth is resolved.

"The problem there is that expanded gaming, if it passes, would mean we would see revenue 18 to 24 months down the road at a minimum," Rosenberg said. "Casinos or slot machines at race tracks are not going to save our hides for Fiscal '11 and the revenues they would generate would barely be visible on the budget for Fiscal '12."

Another problem with passing the legislation in time for this year's budget, Rosenberg said, is that the Senate can't enact new taxes or tax increases because the House didn't address taxes, and "all money bills and revenue bills by law have to start in the House."

Mayor Clare Higgins praised Kocot's and Rosenberg's efforts to limit reductions in state aid but drew applause from the crowd when she said not enough has been accomplished with the city facing a $480,000 cut in state aid.

"We all have to take it upon ourselves to call our state legislators and to ask them to look at how we do this because I think the whole system is fundamentally broken and I don't think it works anymore." Higgins said. "The amount of state revenue that comes back to us doesn't cover the base-line costs for things people expect to get on a local level, including street lighting, street paving, education and public safety. We can't afford to do all of those things with the amount of money coming in."

Other ideas raised at the meeting included eliminating the sales tax exemption on candy, soda, which could generate an estimated $51.7 million annually for public health programs; ending the tax exemption on cigars, smoking and smokeless tobacco; and taxing revenues generated at hospitals statewide.

"We can no longer afford for-profit health care in this state," said Randy Phillis, a faculty member of the biology department at UMass Amherst. "It is literally sucking the life out of all of us and it is a huge waste of money."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com

Northampton man accused of trying to barter baby for beer

CHICOPEE - A Northampton man who allegedly offered to give his 3-month-old daughter away to a stranger in exchange for beer Monday afternoon will be summoned to court today on a charge of reckless endangerment of a child, police said.

According to Chicopee police Capt. Thomas Charette, at 1 p.m., Matthew Brace, 24, offered to give his child to a motorist pumping gas at the Pride station on Burnett Road in exchange for two 40-ounce bottles of beer. "I guess they were involved in a conversation where a guy who was getting gas said, 'Hey, nice baby' and (Brace) basically said, 'Oh, you want her, here, take her,'" Charette said.

The motorist called police, who found Brace hiding with his baby behind a trash bin next to the business and issued the summons, Charette said.

The baby's mother, who was inside the gas station buying cigarettes at the time, was not charged, Charette said. Charette said members of the state's Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of the child.

- OWEN BOSS

Distraught man leads police on 3-town chase

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

AMHERST - An Amherst man, who police say was having relationship trouble with his girlfriend, attempted to hang himself late Saturday night before leading police on a high-speed car chase through three area towns.

Michael John Lusardo, 22, of 640 Main St., Unit 1, pleaded innocent Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court to charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle and failure to stop for police.

According to Amherst Police Lt. Ron Young, head of the detective bureau, at 10:55 p.m., police responded to Lusardo's home after he reportedly got into a verbal altercation with his girlfriend over the ownership of their dog.

Not long afterward, at 11:44 p.m., Young said police returned to the home after Lusardo's girlfriend called police expressing concern about his well-being after he reportedly attempted to hang himself, according to court documents.

Lusardo left in his car before police got there, prompting Amherst police to issue an alert for his vehicle, Young said.

"We were just trying to continue the domestic investigation," Young said.

Then, at 3:18 a.m., while on routine patrol, Amherst police officer Nicholas Chandler reportedly observed Lusardo's vehicle on Main Street and began following him.

When he realized he was being followed, Lusardo sped away at speeds in excess of 75 mph and traveled through Pelham to Route 202, where he turned and headed toward Belchertown, with Belchertown police cruisers joining the pursuit. Lusardo then headed back into Amherst, where he finally came to a stop in front of his home and was taken into custody. Amherst and Belchertown police used stop sticks to puncture the tires on his vehicle and Lusardo drove for much of the chase on bare rims, according to court documents.

Judge Mark Mason released Lusardo on his own recognizance and scheduled him to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on June 22.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com

Belchertown man denies threat charge

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

BELCHERTOWN - A local man who police say made death threats that prompted the evacuation of a Main Street dental office and lockdown of an elementary school was released on the condition that he stay away from the dental office and Town Hall.

He was released after his arraignment Thursday on charges of threatening to commit a crime.

Police arrested Curtis B. Carroll, 46, of 25 Main St., Wednesday morning after officers were summoned by a town employee reporting that a resident had threatened violence.

According to Belchertown police, at 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, Building Inspector Paul J. Adzima told police that Carroll had just left the building inspector's quarters in the town offices at 2 Jabish St., saying he was going to get a gun and start shooting anyone involved with a landscaping project being completed near his property. Police say Carroll was unhappy about the landscaping project.

Adzima also told police Carroll threatened to hurt employees and patients at the Valley Dentist at 23 Main St., a practice that abuts his Main Street property, and where the landscaping project is under way.

"With the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, we surrounded the residence of Mr. Carroll and also assisted with dispersing parents and children from the nearby Methodist Church Day Care facility. The Police Department was also facilitating a lockdown with nearby Cold Spring Elementary School," Belchertown officer John Raymer wrote in the press release.

Carroll later drove his Harley Davidson motorcycle through the rear lawn of the Methodist Church and post office "attempting to avoid officers," before being ordered off his bike at gunpoint and placed under arrest in a Main Street parking lot, according to Raymer's press release.

In Eastern Hampshire District Court Thursday, Carroll pleaded innocent to four counts of threatening to commit a crime, and Judge Laurie MacLeod ordered him released on condition that he report to probation once a week, stay away from the dentist's office and Town Hall and forfeit all firearms, according to court documents. MacLeod dismissed charges of assault to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon.

His court records were sealed at the request of his lawyer, Jonah S. Goldsmith of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, the state's public defender's office.

The landscaping project, which was still being completed Thursday by the Hodgen Landscape Co. of Belchertown, involves the leveling out of a small yard between the Valley Dentist office and Carroll's home and the construction of a small concrete wall between the two properties.

MacLeod ordered Carroll to appear in court for a pretrial hearing on June 21.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Forum targets buying locally grown food

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Local farmers and advocates of buying locally grown food sat down with state legislators Thursday night at a public forum addressing challenges facing Valley farmers and seeking new ways to promote the importance of supporting local agriculture.

The forum, held at the Northampton Senior Center and hosted by local nonprofit Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, allowed local growers and consumers to interact with state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, and Rep. John Scibak, D-South Hadley, and generated an open discussion of the important role that consumers, farms and the local government play in supporting a healthy and sustainable local food system.

Both Kulik and Scibak noted the importance of harnessing increased public awareness of the benefits of buying local produce and using it to improve the local economy, environment and the overall health of Valley residents.

"There is definitely an increased awareness beyond the confines of the Pioneer Valley in terms of looking at food safety and food security, which has prompted state residents to want to buy local and consume fresh, organic products," Scibak said. "And we need to keep pointing out to people that food, farming and agriculture is a viable economic development strategy and is an integral part of the economy in the Valley."

Kulik, who was also encouraged by a growing interest in supporting local agriculture, said despite cuts in state funding, legislators are coming up with ways to promote local produce and give farmers the resources they need to thrive.

"There are a number of things we can be doing now to prepare ourselves for obstacles that may come up in three, five and 10 years down the road," he said. "We all need to make sure that we keep working diligently in spite of a lack of state and federal funding."

Kulik also said he and Scibak expected legislation recently passed in the House would soon be enacted to establish a new all-volunteer Food Policy Council.

"This council will provide an open forum that will bring together stakeholders, producers, local farmers and even those involved in land preservation, food security and marketing - and they will work together to help craft state policy on a variety of agricultural issues unique to the commonwealth," Kulik said.

Although many shared Kulik's and Scibak's enthusiasm about using local agriculture as a means of increasing tourism and consumption at farms across the Valley, farmers who spoke at the forum stressed that exaggerated land values and competition from major supermarkets were still impeding their business.

Among them was Ben James, owner of Town Farm in Northampton and member of the Northampton Agricultural Commission, who said a steadily growing interest in local farming has made him "feel like a rock star" but stressed that unless Valley farmers are paid more for the produce they cultivate, they will continue to struggle.

"Even with the public enthusiasm about buying local food, I am still staggered at the amount of work that goes into growing our food compared to what it is valued at," James said. "It is a huge challenge for us. Even with the support of the local community, the majority of residents still get their food at Stop & Shop, and we still have a tremendous way to go on that front."

Echoing James' concern was Paul Voiland, of Montague, who said he worried that high land values would put area farmers behind before they could begin. He argued that recently passed labor and zoning laws are turning young people away from their traditional summer jobs in farming, and that a lack of agricultural education in local schools was keeping students from considering farming as a career.

"We have zoning laws that prevent certain work at certain hours and we have zoning laws that make it difficult for farmers to provide their staff with affordable housing. I think these are the things the legislators should be looking at," Voiland said. "The problem is that this vibrant new interest in agriculture is largely generated by farms that depend on hand labor and you have to be willing to pay people enough to do the work."

Although she, too, said farmers have to make more for the food they are producing to survive, Ruth Hazzard, who has served as a vegetable entomologist and team leader for UMass Amherst Extension's vegetable program, said she has noticed that agricultural organizations across the Valley are working more closely with the state departments that oversee them.

"Something that has changed over the last 10 years is that these organizations are working together more than they have in the past," Hazzard said, adding that the relationship between UMass Extension and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is better than it has been in her 20 years of experience. "They are really working hard to support our efforts to do research and solve problems particular to our area."

Residents interested in volunteering time to support CISA or with questions about the organization are encouraged to contact program director Kelly Coleman at 413-665-7100 or visit the nonprofit's website, www.buylocalfood.org.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Dollars for Scholars honors founders

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Before awarding scholarships to 140 local graduating seniors at Northampton High School Wednesday night, the Northampton Dollars for Scholars board of directors took time to recognize the organization's three founding members and to honor them with memorial scholarships in their names.

In recognition of their long-standing commitment to the program, board Vice President Thomas Bassett presented Founders Awards to Kathleen "Kay" Sheehan, Ralph Levy and Frank Heston, who came together to start the program 36 years ago.

"These three individuals have given a lot of their time, talents and encouragement to the rest of us over the last 35 years and they continue to be very active today," Bassett said. "They are the kind of people that wouldn't ask for or ever expect accolades for what they have done, but tonight they are going to have to bear with us and accept some awards, because they deserve it."

Following a standing ovation from some 300 students, friends and family members in attendance, Sheehan, Levy and Heston were also presented with certificates signed by U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) and three American flags that had flown over the Capitol in Washington.

In addition, Bassett announced that the organization was establishing three annual Founders Scholarships in their names in recognition of the pledge they made to make sure all local high school students have help paying for a college education. "This is to remember your efforts and the work that you have done," he said, "and to thank you for the 35 years of mentoring and for all the time you've spent bringing Dollars for Scholars to where it is today."

Northampton Dollars for Scholars is a local chapter of the national organization Scholarship America, which is the nation's largest nonprofit educational support organization. Dollars for Scholars provides students who live in Northampton the opportunity to apply for scholarships, regardless of the school they attend, and gives scholarships to graduating seniors and to students who are sophomores, juniors and seniors in college.

The group awarded $59,600 in scholarships to prospective graduates of Northampton High School and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Wednesday night. Maureen Mahar, president of the organization's board, said that over the past 35 years they have awarded approximately 2,500 scholarships totaling more than $1 million.

"Our pledge here in Northampton is to be a community behind our students," Mahar said. "We know that these scholarships won't come close to covering all of your college costs, but we hope that you receive this as a recognition of your hard work and an indication that the city of Northampton is really behind every one of you."

Also speaking at the group's 36th annual scholarship awards ceremony was Mayor Clare Higgins, who told students that as they get older they should remember getting a hand up from the residents of their city and remember to provide the same assistance to the next generation of high school graduates.

"I hope that 20 years from now when I am sitting up at the nursing home you will all come visit me," Higgins said, drawing a laugh from the audience, "but then I hope you'll come down to Dollars for Scholars and become a part of making these scholarships happen. That will be your debt to pay on to the next generation."

Residents interested in donating to this organization are encouraged to contact Northampton Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 60382, Florence, MA 01062-0382.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Dog involved in Florence attack is put down

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - A dog that reportedly got away from its owner before attacking and killing another dog as it was walked by leash down North Maple Street in Florence last week has been put down by its owner, police said.

According to Northampton police Capt. Scott Savino, the 60-pound, 4-year-old chow mix, named Porter, was voluntarily put down by its owner, Christopher Pletcher, of 54 N. Maple St.

Pletcher reportedly told police that he and his wife rescued Porter about a year ago when the couple lived in Arizona and that the couple had to keep the dog on a leash at all times because it had been known to be aggressive around smaller animals.

On Wednesday, May 5, Sarah Hannigan, 25, of Florence went to the Northampton police station to report that her 3-year-old miniature Alaskan husky, Dooby, had been violently attacked by Pletcher's dog as she walked it down North Maple Street, where she lives.

Although Nancy Graham, the city's animal control officer, said she met with both Pletcher and Hannigan to discuss the incident, Savino said the decision to have the dog euthanized was made by the owner.

"This was strictly the decision of the owner of the attacking dog," Savino said. "My understanding was that it was put down Friday evening."

A message left on Pletcher's cell phone Wednesday evening was not returned.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com

Robbery suspect nabbed while holed up in Granby hotel

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

GRANBY — A Turners Falls woman wanted by police in connection with a string of area robberies was found hiding out at The Granby Motel on West State Street Monday, police said.

Carla D. Holmstrom, 34, of 76 Avenue A., pleaded innocent Tuesday in Northampton District Court to charges of assault to rob while armed, assault with a hypodermic needle and robbery while armed with a firearm.

Holmstrom's bail was set by Judge Richard J. Carey at $100,000 cash or $1 million personal surety.

Easthampton police declined to say how they discovered Holmstrom was staying at the motel Tuesday afternoon.
Police believe Holmstrom was behind the recent robberies of two Northampton businesses and a third in Greenfield and obtained a warrant for her arrest Monday.

Holmstrom allegedly used a syringe to rob a Subway at 32 Union St. in Easthampton March 27, when she pointed the uncapped needle at employee Erik Pardee and passed him a note saying, "I am infected with AIDS. I will stick you with this needle if you do not give me money now," Detective Sgt. Mark Popielarczyk said in a court filing.

On Thursday at Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters, 47 Union St., Holmstrom allegedly passed a note to employee Allison Ginsberg demanding money and saying she had a gun.

The clerk gave the suspect $105 from the cash register, according to Popielarczyk's report.

Holmstrom lived on Pleasant Street in Easthampton as recently as January 2009, according to court papers. She is currently on probation for previous convictions for drug possession, unarmed robbery and assault and battery.

Holmstrom will also be arraigned on another armed robbery charge in Greenfield. Police there say Holmstrom showed a similar note and made off with hundreds of dollars at a tanning salon, also on Thursday.

Witnesses to the Greenfield robbery told police a woman entered Solar Express at 176 Federal St. and told employee Brianna Cooley that she had a gun and wanted $10 and $20 bills.

According to police, Cooley at first said she couldn't open the register, but the woman walked around to the employee side of the counter and allegedly said, "Well figure it out, because I've got a gun and I will use it."

After the suspect fled with an undetermined amount of money, Cooley ran to get her boss, Alex Fiorey, who dashed outside in time to see a blue Chrysler 300 speed away.

Holmstrom is due to return to court for a pretrial hearing on June 11.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Motorcycle collides with vehicle on Bridge Road; rider injured

NORTHAMPTON - A collision between a vehicle and motorcyclist Friday afternoon resulted in a local man being rushed to the hospital with a serious ankle injury, police said.

According to Northampton police Lt. Michael Patenaude, at 3:14 p.m., Edward J. Helems, 61, of 50 Middle St., Florence, was turning into a parking lot at 968 Bridge Road on his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he collided with a 2002 Nissan sedan driven by Mayra Montenez, 39, of 73 Barrett St.

Patenaude said Helems was transported by ambulance to Cooley Dickinson Hospital with a severe ankle injury and that Montenez's vehicle sustained more than $1,000 in front-end damage.

A hospital spokeswoman at CDH said Helems was transferred to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where he was listed in fair condition Friday night.

- OWEN BOSS

Chicopee man faces South Hadley arson charges

CHICOPEE - State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan announced Thursday that a Chicopee man has been arrested on charges of setting three fires last month - two in South Hadley and one in Chicopee.

According to a release issued by Coan, Kamran Ehsan, 32, faces charges of setting two fires at the Hadley Mart on Memorial Drive in South Hadley April 29 and a smaller fire in the laundry room of his home the next day.

While investigating the Hadley Mart fires, police were told by the store's manager that he had discovered a fire early that morning when he opened the store that had burned itself out. A subsequent search of the property reportedly revealed evidence that placed Ehsan at the scene of both fires.

Ehsan, who lives about a half-mile away from the store with his family, faces two counts of burning a building, and additional charges may follow, according to the fire marshal's press release.

The fires were jointly investigated by the South Hadley Fire District 1 and Chicopee fire departments, the South Hadley and Chicopee police departments and state police assigned to the state fire marshal's office. The case will be prosecuted by the offices of the Hampden County and the Northwestern district attorneys.

- OWEN BOSS

Inquiry launched in fatal Florence dog attack

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - More details are emerging surrounding a dog attack on North Maple Street in Florence Wednesday evening that resulted in the violent death of a 3-year-old miniature Alaskan husky.

According to a police report filed by Northampton officer Donald A. Nichols, at 9 p.m., Sarah Hannigan, 25, and Jeremiah Longe went to the police station to report that their 12-pound Kleekai husky, Dooby, had been attacked and killed by another dog as Hannigan walked him on a leash.

Hannigan, who reportedly was crying and covered in blood, told police that shortly after 7 p.m., she was walking Dooby north on the sidewalk along North Maple Street, where she lives, when a large brown dog came running down a driveway, grabbed her dog by the shoulders and neck and began violently shaking it.

Hannigan told police she tried desperately to separate the animals, but was only able to free Dooby after the other dog's owner, Christopher Pletcher, of 54 N. Maple St., pried his dog's jaws open.

Hannigan said she rushed Dooby to the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in South Deerfield, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival, having suffered a punctured heart and several broken ribs, according to the report.

Pletcher reportedly told police that he and his wife rescued his dog Porter, a 60-pound, 4-year-old chow mix, about a year ago when the couple lived in Arizona.

Pletcher reportedly told Nichols that Porter, who he said was known to be aggressive and had killed squirrels and chipmunks in the past, was on a leash Wednesday but got loose when Pletcher dropped something as he left his apartment.

A message left on Pletcher's cell phone Thursday was unreturned.

Lt. Michael Patenaude said an investigation into the attack is ongoing. He said both Hannigan and Pletcher have been contacted by the city's animal control officer and that a hearing is likely in the near future.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Leashed pet dies in Northampton dog attack

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Police are investigating a reported dog attack Wednesday night during which a woman said she watched helplessly as her miniature Alaskan husky, which was on a leash, was viciously killed by an unsecured dog on North Maple Street in Florence.

Tracy Hannigan said that shortly after 7 p.m., her daughter, Sarah Hannigan, 25, was walking her 3-year-old, 12-pound dog, Dooby, down the sidewalk on North Maple Street, where she lives, when a larger dog came running out of a nearby yard and began attacking it.

After separating the two animals, Tracy Hannigan said the pair rushed Dooby to the Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital on Greenfield Road in South Deerfield, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

"The veterinarian in South Deerfield said the other dog ripped his little heart out and broke all of his ribs," Tracy Hannigan said. "My daughter is lucky she wasn't attacked herself."

Northampton police said the two women filled out an incident report detailing the attack Wednesday night, and an investigation into the incident may be pending.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Three reported breaks in Northampton Monday have police asking for help

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - After three house and car breaks reported Monday, including one in which a stranger was discovered in a Hatfield Street home, police are seeking help from residents. They have asked people to watch out for their neighbors' property, and to warn neighbors or police if they notice someone acting suspiciously.

According to Sgt. Anne M. McMahon, at 4:41 p.m., police responded to 67 Hatfield Street where a homeowner reportedly discovered a stranger inside his home who then jumped out an open window and fled.

McMahon said police responded to the scene with a dog unit but were unable to locate the suspect.

Although nothing was reported stolen in the incident, McMahon said the victim told police the perpetrator was attempting to steal a number of electronic items from the house before they were discovered.

"It was hard for them to give us a clear description because he was jumping out a window, but they said he was a white male and he may have been balding," McMahon said.

At 5:12 p.m., police responded to Elwell State Park on Damon Road, where a motorist reported that the passenger side door of a vehicle had been damaged and a dashboard radio and a back support pillow had been stolen.

"That is a place where vehicle break-ins are very frequent," McMahon said. "It has gotten to the point where people are just walking along and looking inside of vehicles for anything of value."

At 11:12 p.m., McMahon said a Walnut Street resident called police to report that a laptop computer had been stolen from his apartment and that the perpetrator had slit a window screen to get inside.

Thefts of laptop computers and flat screen televisions from area homes are on the rise recently, McMahon said, and the break-ins are occurring in towns across the region.

"We had a screen slit on Florence Road just the other night and we don't know if these crimes are related but they are repeatedly happening," McMahon said.

"We are just asking for the public's assistance on this. People should keep an eye on their neighbor's property and immediately call the police department if they notice someone acting suspicious or roaming around the back of houses. That is what we are here for."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com

Radio rift that led to end of Bill Dwight show detailed by ex-host

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - Bill Dwight, former host of "The Bill Dwight Show" on WHMP-AM, said he left the morning program last week after the station's general manager told him an area businessman couldn't go on air as a guest because he was no longer advertising with the station.

Dwight, 55, who served as a city councilor from 1996 to 2004 and hosted the show for four years, said that as he was drafting notes for his show on April 26, he was told by Chris Collins, the station's program director, that Michael Kusek, an area publicist, was no longer allowed on the show because one of the businesses he represented was no longer airing ads with the station's FM affiliate, 96.9 The River.

"For whatever reason they decided that Michael wasn't allowed to come on because he stopped running advertisements, and I took serious issue with that," Dwight said. He declined last week to identify the issue that led to his leaving the station.

"That is not a condition that I reviewed my guests based on, and I told him that those were not the terms I was willing to work under," Dwight said.

Shortly after, Dwight said he was told by Sean O'Mealy, the station's general manager, that "either Michael is off the show or 'The Bill Dwight Show' is finished."

"That was when I decided to leave the show," Dwight said. "I did leave, but it was after they canceled the show. You can split hairs about it, but showing up when I didn't have a show would have been pretty silly."

O'Mealy directed inquiries for comment Tuesday to a statement posted on the station's website, in which he stressed that Dwight was not fired but chose to leave after a policy dispute.

"Like any other business, we set up some rules that we think are important for our employees to follow," the statement reads. "We try very hard not to be too bureaucratic especially in an entertainment based business in which creativity is valued. We have many longtime employees who have carved out their own identity following some simple guidelines. For his own reasons Bill became uncomfortable with those guidelines and chose to leave WHMP. He was not asked to leave and in fact, we were not expecting for this to be significant issue - it certainly hasn't been for our other staff members."

The statement went on to reaffirm to listeners that the sudden ending of Dwight's program was not based on his politics or political viewpoint.

"We are sorry to see Bill go, but we cannot create separate policies for each employee. Anyone who runs a business will certainly appreciate that conundrum. And so we will move on and find someone else to inform and entertain," the statement reads.

Kusek has been a regular guest on the radio station since he first appeared on "The Rachel Maddow Show" several years ago to promote several area nonprofits he represents. He said he was shocked to hear that he was no longer allowed on air because he said he discussed the pulled ads with O'Mealy before O'Mealy's confrontation with Dwight.

"Whatever the issue was that my clients had with their advertising - I went to them and had a subsequent conversation with management that made me feel like we were moving in a positive direction," Kusek said, adding, "I got off my chest what I had to get off my chest for my clients, and we had a meeting scheduled for this week to talk about advertising, which I canceled."

Dwight's show aired weekdays from 9 to 10 a.m., a slot that has since been filled by "The Stephanie Miller Show," which was airing from 10 a.m. to noon, and now begins at 9 a.m. and lasts three hours rather than two.

O'Mealy's statement can be seen in its entirety on the WHMP-AM website, http://www.whmp.com.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@tgazettenet.com.

Coyote attacks spur closing of Amherst trail

By SCOTT MERZBACH
and OWEN BOSS
Staff Writers

AMHERST — The Ken Cuddeback Trail in South Amherst has been closed temporarily after a coyote twice attacked dogs being walked in the area over the last week.

Animal Welfare officer Carol Hepburn said Monday she requested the conservation trail be temporarily closed out of concern for the safety of smaller dogs.

The first report came April 26 at 12:52 p.m. after the coyote bit a dog, which was later brought to a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. A Labrador retriever was attacked two days later. Hepburn said both dogs are expected to recover.

After the second attack, Hepburn said, she and a state wildlife official attempted to locate the coyote.

“I’m trying to remove the coyote from the area,” Hepburn said.

She has also gone to the area twice with police officers. Though the coyote has been seen, it has fled into the woods when spotted.

Hepburn said there is no evidence that the coyote is aggressive toward humans, but she still would like to deal with the coyote before reopening the trail.

The KC Trail, as it is often called, runs through the Hop Brook and Wentworth Farm conservation areas and passes between Shays Street, South East Street, Potwine Lane and Middle Street.

According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s website, the eastern coyote moved into the central and western part of the state in the 1950s and now exists in every town except for those on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. They pose little threat to humans but have been known to attack household pets.

The majority of coyotes found locally are the size of a medium-sized dog, but with longer, thicker fur. They have a long, bushy, black-tipped tail that is usually carried pointing down and are typically between 4 and 5 feet in length and weigh between 33 and 40 pounds, according to the website.

Although they are known to feed on whatever is available, including fruit, berries and small rodents, they are also known to prey on unprotected pets, unsecured garbage and pet food left outdoors.

According to the website, coyotes are territorial but habitually shy and elusive. They occupy territories ranging from 2 to 30 miles and typically breed in February and March, yielding litters of up to eight pups in April or May.

In Massachusetts, the coyote hunting season opens on the first Saturday after Columbus Day and closes on the following March 8. In 2007 and 2008, however, the DFW extended coyote season by five weeks and both years resulted in state records for total number killed.

To prevent conflicts with coyotes, the DFW urges state residents to secure their garbage, never try to feed or pet a coyote, keep household pets restrained and pet food indoors if possible, fence in livestock and produce, and alert neighbors if one is seen in or around the neighborhood.

If an area resident is ever threatened by a coyote, public safety officials including local police departments and the state Environmental Police have the authority to respond and put down the animal. However, according to regulations pertaining to the handling of problem animals, coyotes taking pets are not considered an immediate threat to human safety and therefore safety officials are not authorized to remove them.

Driver jailed after report of gun threat

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

DEERFIELD - A Florida man was in custody on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon after state police pulled him over for speeding on I-91 north Monday afternoon.

According to state police Sgt. Michael Popvics, at 1:55 p.m., Trooper Thomas Moriarty, of the Northampton barracks, stopped a 2007 Chevy Cobalt driven by Donald W. Rowand, 69, of McAltin, Fla., for traveling 87 mph in a 65-mph zone.

Shortly after Rowand was pulled over, Popvics said, a motorist passing the Deerfield traffic stop called state police to warn them that the driver of the stopped vehicle had pointed a gun at them as they traveled north through Whately.

"As he was pulling the vehicle over someone called us to say, #You should be careful, the driver of that car was just pointing a handgun at me,'" Popvics said.

After Moriarty asked Rowand to step out of the vehicle, an inventory search uncovered a pellet gun replica of an actual handgun near the front seat.

Rowand was arrested and Popvics said he was being held on $1,000 cash bail at the Hampden County House of Corrections. He is expected to be arraigned this morning in Greenfield District Court.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com

Woman faces charge of unlicensed massage

BELCHERTOWN - A Springfield woman charged with practicing unlicensed massage therapy appeared Thursday for her pretrial hearing in Eastern Hampshire District Court.

Lihong Geng, 47, whose address is listed as 15 Rutledge Ave., Springfield, the same address as Jan's Spa, requested a Mandarin interpreter when pleading innocent at her arraignment on April 6, according to court documents.

Although Geng was reportedly arrested by Hadley police, the location of her arrest was not included in court documents, and Hadley police declined to comment on the arrest Thursday.

Attempts to reach Melanie S. Lewis, Geng's appointed lawyer, were unsuccessful Thursday.

Judge William Hadley scheduled Geng to appear in court for another pretrial hearing on June 15.

- OWEN BOSS

Pickup truck crashes in front of home in Hatfield

By OWEN BOSS
Staff Writer

HATFIELD — A pickup truck that careened off Elm Street Friday night crashed several feet short of slamming into the front porch of a house nearby. The two occupants of the truck escaped with minor injuries.

According to Hatfield Fire Capt. Stephen Gaughan, at 9:57 p.m., local firefighters, police officers and members of the state police responded to 137 Elm Street, where a GMC Sierra pickup truck had left the roadway, smashed through a barrier and two road signs, and nearly flipped over on the front lawn of the house. The truck came to a stop on top of a large boulder in front of the house.

“It came pretty close to hitting the house itself, but there was no structural damage involved,” Gaughan said.

According to street lists and the telephone directory, Brian McGrath, 51, and Shaun McGrath, 28, live at 137 Elm St.

One of the pickup’s two occupants was taken by ambulance to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield to be treated for minor injuries sustained in the accident, Gaughan said. Police declined to identify the occupants of the truck Friday night until their family members could be notified and said that the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com.

Bear cub loses life after accident in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Environmental Police had to kill a badly injured bear cub Friday evening after it was struck by a motorist while attempting to cross Florence Road, police said.

At 4:30 p.m., Northampton police responded to the area of 519 Florence Road after it was reported that a baby bear had run out into the street and been hit by a car, officer Thomas Briotta said.

Briotta said the local Environmental Police were called to the scene and shot the animal after it was determined that the bear had suffered severe injuries in the accident.

Area residents reported seeing a mother bear and another cub nearby at the time of the accident, police said, but the pair eventually left the area on their own.

— OWEN BOSS