On Sunday the fund raised $4,450.

View full sizeTo get a printable version of this coupon to mail in with your Toy for Joy donation, click on "view full size," above. 

SPRINGFIELD - To date the Toy for Joy fund has raised $63,520, but with just three days to go until Christmas Eve, the fund still has $86,480 to raise.

The fund has a $150,000 fund-raising goal by Christmas Eve.

On Sunday the fund recorded $4,450.

The Toy for Joy fund, which is in its 91st year, is sponsored by The Republican and The Salvation Army, with the help of campaign partner Hasbro of East Longmeadow, which donates a portion of the toys for the campaign.

Danielle LaTaille, director of social services for the Greater Springfield Salvation Army citadel on Pearl St., said the Toy for Joy program makes the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas the busiest, but “the best time of year.”

Last week the Greater Springfield Salvation Army citadel on Pearl St. delivered toys to approximately 600 families per day.

This year 3,720 adults and approximately 14,715 children signed up in Springfield to receive toys from the fund — more than last year, LaTaille said.

Holyoke so far has registered and distributed toys to 1,240 families.

Donors on Sunday included the staff at the Registry of Probate in Springfield who gave $500.

For more information, call 733-1518. To make a contribution to the Toy for Joy fund, write: Toy for Joy, P.O. Box 3007, Springfield 01102. Contributions may also be dropped off with the coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Dec. 24.

Here’s a list of the latest contributors:

• In memory of Ines Albano, $1000


• In loving memory of our mom and brother, $20


• In loving memory of Algot Olson from Merle and family, $10


• In memory of my brother Ed Scagel, Anne Mc, $10


• SJC, $25


• Anonymous, $50


• In memory of Andy and Helen Brown and Mary Ellen Kuzmeski, $30


• In memory of Joe, Claire and Michael Austin from Valley Farm, $50


• Remembering deceased members of Dunn and Fitzgerald families, $100


• Cyd Mercier, love Aunt Gert, $5


• Helen and Edward Magiera, love Trudy, $10


• In honor of Frances Rugger’s 100th Christmas in Springfield, $80


• In loving memory of Duncan, he loved Christmas, $50


• In memory of Lisa Sawicki, miss you Mamma, Cooper, $20


• In memory of my wonderful mother Helen Turner, $50


• In loving memory of Sonny who loved Christmas from his bride, $100


• Merry Christmas from Peter, Kathy, MacKenzie and Shannon Green, $100


• In memory of Eddie Brodeur, $25


• Merry Christmas from Molly, Guinness and Lily, $25


• In memory of Buster, Oreo, Shaina from Missy and Pebbles, $25


• In memory of Eranscols, Roland and Eileen, $25


• Merry Christmas from Jeanne, $15


• In memory of Arthur L Daniels, Timothy Daniels, Genny St. Peter, $25


• In memory of my loved ones spending Christmas in heaven, love Bette Ann, $50


• In loving memory of my dad, Bud Pederzoli who loved children, $25


• Destinations are where we begin again, $5


• Merry Christmas, $20


• In memory of Tinker, $25


• For the children from Joan, $25


• In loving memory of Jef, Mary and Annette, $100


• Merry Christmas and God bless the children, Linda and Rene, $15


• Merry Christmas from Tom and Lynne, $100


• In loving memory of Spencer David Nolan from family and friends, $25


• In loving memory of Diane Anair from husband, $25


• Harvey and Myrtle Carter, Bobby Loudfoot, Tom Hosner and Dick Carter, $30


• In memory of Suki Beucke, the Christmas puppy, $20


• In memory of Stanley Melanson, $15


• Thanks to St. Jude for prayers answered, Lori, $25


• In memory of Wing from Feather, $25


• In memory of Jennie, Art, Eleanor and Joe, $15


• In memory of our parents Bill and Peg, Frank and Helen, $20


• Merry Christmas from Ray and Sue, $50


• Merry Christmas to all children, $10


• Christmas joy and new year blessings to all from Allen and Mary Stratton, $50


• Missing fur angels Hansey and Hailey from BB and Eagle, $5


• Corinne, $50


• In memory of Suzanne, $25


• Christ loves children, $100


• Merry Christmas from Pat and Bambi the wonder dog, $25


• To share the joy of grandson Donovan, $25


• For Sue, Patti and sue, good friends, $50


• Merry Christmas to the children, Lori and Rich, $50


• In memory of Carol Kempesty Lavigne, $25


• In memory of Mike and Gerry, $20


• In memory of Marge Turek, $10


• In memory of my loving wife Linda Gelineau from Leo, $10


• In memory of my mother Ernestire Gelineau from Leo, $10


• In memory of my father Leo Gelineau Sr from Leo, $10


• In memory of Alma Howlett from Leo, $10


• In memory of my sister Carol Bradway from Leo, $10


• In loving memory of Joseph and Claire Hopkins from Jane and Bill, $100


• In memory of Thomas and June Bailey, Patrick and Catherine Long and Harry and Helen Galletti, $100


• In honor of Cindy and Donna, thank you, $50


• In memory of Rachel a cat who loved Christmas, $2


• In memory of Harry and Claire Broderick, love your family, $10


• In memory of Marie L Brunelle and Thomas J Murphy, love your family, $3


• In memory of our Jackie Bear, we miss you, love your family, $5


• In memory of Maggie our beautiful girl, love your family, $3


• In memory of Tessa, love your family, $2


• In memory of Little Marie Brunelle, cousin Paula, $10


• Happy first Christmas Mason James Ware, Grandma and Grandpa Montagna, $5


• In memory of Jim Fletcher and Joe Marinello from Fletcher Sewer and Drain, Inc., $100


• Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, keep smiling from Gallerani Electric Co., Inc., $100


• Happy Holidays from Braman Chemical Enterprises Inc., $1000

George E. "GEBO" O'Brien, 78, of Westfield, died on Thursday. He was born in Westfield and was a graduate of Westfield High School and Cheshire Academy. He received a bachelor's degree in education from AIC in Springfield and received two master's degrees from Westfield State College. He was a member of St. Mary's Church and served in the U.S....

George O'Brien 

George E. "GEBO" O'Brien, 78, of Westfield, died on Thursday. He was born in Westfield and was a graduate of Westfield High School and Cheshire Academy. He received a bachelor's degree in education from AIC in Springfield and received two master's degrees from Westfield State College. He was a member of St. Mary's Church and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired as director of Grants and Transportation for the Westfield School Department in 2000. Prior to that, he was the director of Special Education. He was an avid runner who ran five marathons in one year.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• 
  Airne, Robert
  



• 
  Barbato, Joseph and Rose (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Barbato, Joseph P. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Bombardier, Marian (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Bonavita, Albert J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Buckingham, Charles (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Carroll Jr., Theodore W. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cecchi, Anthony A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Champagne Jr., Lou (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Ciocci, Dino G. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Clark, Gary B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cobb, Connie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cochrane, Annamarie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Collins, Thomas F. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cuffie, Filard L.
  



• 
  Cuffy, Marian (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Curto, Damien (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dalessio, Roger A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  DalMolin, Dino J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dalmolin, Egidio (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dandurand, Ellen (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dandurand, Ellen (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Donoghue, Michael P. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Doty, John L. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Enko, William (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Ennaco, Ralph (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fei, Horst (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fessenden, Sheryl B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Field, Larry (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fitzgerald Sr., Robert E. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Flavin, Chester E. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Forgue, Laura McQuade (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Franceschelli, Victor A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fratamico, Thomson (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gamelli, Augustino D.
  



• 
  Garneau, Rose N. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Garneau, Rose N. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gibson, Kristine (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gilhooly, James F. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Girard, Leo (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gokey, Ruth, George and Earl (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Griffin, William B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Grimaldi, Frances (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Hajec, Star (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Henderson, Agnes "Nan" (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Herbert, Phillip J.
  



• 
  Hicks, Marion
  



• 
  Hocking, William T. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Holly, Lewis (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Iellamo, Nellie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones Sr., Alkra Lee (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones, Amy O. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones, Emma (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Karr, Christy
  



• 
  Kenyon, Donald R. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Kibbe, Claire (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Lavalette, Martha (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Lepine, Beatrice (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Maiolo, Theresa L. (Buteau) (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Manna, Robert (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Marsian, Alice (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  McDonough Sr., Edward J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  McIntosh, Inez (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  McNamara, Thomas (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  McQuade, Jim and Elaine (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Molta, Anna J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  O'Brien, George E.
  



• 
  Opielowski, Stephanie B.
  



• 
  Pasini Sr., Robert M. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Pelletier Jr., Russell R. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Penna, Michael (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Pereira, Sebastian And Scott (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Piquette, Dennis J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Plankey, Maureen and James (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Remillard, Mark M. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Remlin, John W. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Rosinski, George B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Ryan, Rosemarie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Santos, Julieta D. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Savides, Edward K. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Shannon, Rena (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Small, Fred E. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Sturtevant, Jim (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Sullivan, Stephen J.
  



• 
  Tancrati, Mary T. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Toti Jr., John J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Tourville, Virginia, Richard, and Janice (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Turgeon, Joseph R. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Tuttle-Jones, Sara (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Underwood Sr., Aaron J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Vacirca, Amy Arlene (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  VanKeuren, Evelyn (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Weiner, Seymour (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Winters, John
  

The shooting death of Abdul-Azeez Baker marks Springfield's 19 homicide of the year.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield police have identified the city’s latest homicide victim, found fatally injured by multiple gunshots in a Union Street apartment Sunday morning, as 21-year-old Abdul-Azeez Baker.

Police went to 513 Union St. at about 11 a.m. for a report of shots fired. Baker later died of his wounds in the emergency department of an area hospital, Sgt. John M. Delaney, aide to Springfield Police Commissioner William Fitchet, said.

There is evidence, Delaney said, that Baker was in possession of a handgun and that he may have used it before he was shot.

Delaney said police worked all night following leads. The investigation is being led by Lt. Trent Hufnagel and the department’s homicide unit.

The shooting marks the 19th homicide in the city during 2013.

Those with information are asked to call the detective bureau at (413) 787-6355.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to “CRIMES,“ or “274637,“ and then begin the body of the message with the word “SOLVE.“

2013 saw the loss of a number of notable politicians, celebrities, scientists and leaders around the world. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on those lost and their lives' contributions.

2013 saw the loss of a number of notable politicians, celebrities, scientists and leaders around the world. As the year comes to a close, we reflect on those lost and their lives' contributions.

From South African president and champion of peace Nelson Mandela to actor and celebrity Paul Walker, the range of 2013's notable deaths runs wide.

Political leaders:

Nelson Mandela, who became South Africa's first black president after being imprisoned for 27 years for his civil rights efforts, died in December of this year. Mandela, a champion of peace, was 95 years old. Britain's only female prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, died in April at the age of 87. Thatcher, a strong proponent of the free market, left Britain in a better financial situation when she exited office.

Other world leaders who passed away in 2013 include Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, Poland's ex-prime minister Tadeusz Macowiecki, France's Pierre Mauroy and Hungary's Gyula Horn.

Notable U.S. political figures who died this year include U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Harry F. Byrd, along with former New York mayor Ed Koch.

Celebrities:

Most recently, the death of 40-year-old actor and star of the "Fast & Furious" franchise Paul Walker made headlines when he was killed in a crash in Los Angeles in late November. In addition, the world's foremost film critic Roger Ebert died in April.

Other celebrities and entertainers who died this year include "The Sopranos" actor James Gandolfini, "Glee" TV star Cory Monteith, and musicians George Jones, Lou Reed and Chris Kelly.

Scientists:

Doug Engelbart, the inventor of the computer mouse, died in July, while the Manhattan Project's Donald F. Harold Agnew, the former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory who led the effort to train the first group of international atomic inspectors, died at 92 years old.

Donald Hornig, the scientist who helped develop the atomic bomb, and astronauts C. Gordon Fullerton and Scott Carpenter also passed away this year.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

The East Longmeadow School Committee makes its request for fiscal year 2015 capital projects.

 

EAST LONGMEADOW — The School Committee will be requesting about $2.3 million in funding for capital projects when they meet with the Appropriations Committee in January.

At the top of the list are permanent modular classrooms for Meadow Brook Elementary School.

Currently there are four trailer classrooms at the school which are in disrepair.

Superintendent of schools Gordon Smith said it will cost about $1.8 million to get permanent modular classrooms. The other alternative, he said, is spending about $1 million to get trailers similar to the ones used now.

Several members of the board, including William Fonseca and Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher, say permanent is the way to go.

"It might be worthwhile to pursue permanent rather than portable because in 10 years we will be facing this same discussion," said Fonseca.

Also on the list are repairs to the plumbing at Mountainview School. Currently there is no hot water in the rest rooms.

Members also voted to request $45,900 to replace the stadium fencing at East Longmeadow High School and will also ask for funds to make repairs to the school's bleachers.

The committee debated whether to request four new school buses since they have all reached 10 years of use.

School Committee chairman Gregory Thompson said the School Department has an agreement with the Appropriations Committee to wait at least 10 years before asking to replace school buses unless it's an emergency.

The 2003 school buses are still in good condition however, prompting some committee members to consider lowering the request to the bottom of the priority list.

Smith said the estimate per bus if purchased individually is about $85,000.

"If we were to buy multiple buses at one time, we might get a better deal," he said.

The list also includes repairs at Birchland Park Middle School and requests for tables and chairs for Mapleshade Elementary School as well as a storage shed and a swing set for the school.

The board will meet with members of the Appropriations Committee on Jan. 6.

How to sum up an entire year of news in just 10 photos?

By SANTIAGO LYON
AP Director of Photography

How to sum up an entire year of news in just 10 photos? The very notion is daunting when we consider that the AP's award-winning team of hundreds of staff photographers, freelancers and photo editors sends out some 3,000 photos every 24 hours - over 1 million photos a year - to our subscribers around the globe.

Photo editing is, of course, a subjective process of comparison and selection. It involves aesthetics, journalism, impact and memory.

In the end, I chose 10 representative photos from some of the biggest stories of 2013.

In the 10, we see a woman being removed, alive, from a deadly building collapse in Bangladesh. We see a mother carrying her 8-year-old daughter through the wreckage after a tornado leveled sections of Moore, Oklahoma. A family in Australia takes shelter in the water under a bridge as wildfires rage around them. A victim of the Boston Marathon bombing is rushed to safety after losing the lower part of his legs in the blasts. Gay rights activists are protected by police in Russia after being beaten at the hands of anti-gay demonstrators. A nun's face lights up as white smoke billows from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel indicating that a new pope has been elected. A protester gets a face full of pepper spray from Brazilian police. A Syrian man covered in bandages leaves the hospital after being injured in fighting. A devastated landscape in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan struck. Hundreds of mourners line up to see the body of Nelson Mandela as it lies in state in South Africa.

The choice of these photos is meant only to represent the broader spectrum of human experiences captured in all the other images. Every experience is, in some way, a valid one.

The Holyoke Fire Department was called to a reported gas leak at 517 Main St. Monday morning, forcing the temporary closure of several blocks of the busy thoroughfare.

HOLYOKE — The city fire department was called to a reported gas leak at 517 Main St. on Monday morning, forcing the temporary closure of several blocks of the busy thoroughfare.

The leak occurred at the headquarters of University Products, with the initial call coming in around 10:47 a.m. According to Capt. Anthony Cerruti, gas officials responded along with firefighters and the gas was shut off to the site shortly after arrival.

The building was already evacuated when crews arrived, Cerruti said. The scene was cleared by 11:40 A.M., according to Cerruti, and Main Street was reopened to traffic.

According to the local legend, the Whos down in Whoville were modeled after Easthampton and its residents. And Mount Crumpit, where the Grinch lives, was inspired by Mount Tom, which connects Easthampton and Holyoke.

By ALEX LYMAN

EASTHAMPTON — Holiday spirit was abundant in Easthampton Sunday night as residents gathered in the city’s center to sing carols and celebrate its tie with a famous Grinch.

As the story goes, Easthampton was supposedly the inspiration for Dr. Seuss’ classic holiday tale “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” According to local legend, the Whos from Whoville in the story were modeled after Easthampton and its residents. And Mount Crumpit, where the Grinch lives, was inspired by Mount Tom, which connects Easthampton and Holyoke.

Dr. Suess, whose real name is Theodore Geisel, grew up in Springfield and died in 1991.

“Fahn Miner came up with the idea and thought it would be great to celebrate Easthampton as 'Whoville,' unofficially,” said organizer Elaine Wood.

A large group of people gathered by the city’s largest Christmas display – large decorated trees and the lighted gazebo in the city’s center. And just like the Whos, they all joined hands and sang joyfully to welcome the holidays.

Participants brought unwrapped toys to donate to Easthampton’s Community Center as well as money to cover the cost of hiring a police officer for the event. Hot chocolate was provided by Jeff Doyle of Silver Spoon Restaurant.

Organizers are hoping to make this celebration an annual event and are already planning for next year.

“It snowballed to be a bit bigger than we thought,” Wood said. “We’ve had a great response from the community, and I’ve already had someone volunteer to play the Grinch next year.”

2 of the suspects, Marquese Jones, 22, and Sherod Green, 21, both of Newark, N.J., were each ordered held in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

NORTHAMPTON — Four suspects, pulled over by Massachusetts State Police early Friday on Interstate 91 in Hatfield and allegedly found to be in possession of more than 1,200 bags of heroin, many of them labeled “Obama Care,” denied the charges later that day in Northampton District Court.

Two of the suspects, Marquese Jones, 22, and Sherod Green, 21, both of Newark, N.J., were each ordered held in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

The driver, Tyler Robenstein, 23, of Colchester, Vt., was ordered held in lieu of $1,000 cash bail. A third passenger, Ashley Beaulieu, 21, also of Colchester, was ordered held in lieu of $500 bail.

State police said that Robenstein failed to heed the Massachusetts “move over” law for a state trooper conducting an unrelated traffic stop on I-91 in Northampton.

Trooper Joseph Petty stopped the suspect vehicle in Hatfield, saw evidence of illegal narcotics inside and summoned Trooper David Stucenski and his K-9, Frankie, to the scene.

The dog ultimately sniffed out 1,250 bags of heroin, and the driver and his three passengers were arrested.

Along with “Obama Care,” some of the bags were labeled “Curt Cobain,” state police said.

All four were charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. Robenstein also was charged with speeding, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle.

Bindover hearings for the suspects were set for Jan. 17. A bindover hearing determines whether a case will be heard in District Court or Superior Court.

Police say dealers often use such logos or “brands“ to create customer loyalty to their product. Bags of heroin, seized by West Springfield detectives after they saw a drug transaction at the Riverdale Street Shell station last September bore the logo “Family First.”

The move-over law, which went into effect in 2009, requires motorists driving on multi-lane state highways to slow down when approaching stationary emergency response vehicles with flashing lights. It also requires motorists, if they can safely do so, to change lanes so they are not immediately adjacent to emergency vehicles.

Penalties include a $100 fine.

Along with emergency vehicles, such as ambulances and police cars, the law applies to highway maintenance vehicles and recovery trucks.

Police in Connecticut's capital city are asking the public for help identifying those responsible for Hartford's 22nd homicide of the year.

HARTFORD, Conn. — Police in Connecticut's capital city are asking the public for help identifying those responsible for Hartford's 22nd homicide of the year.

 

The victim, 23-year-old Angel Vasquez of Enfield, was reportedly found sitting in a car in a residential parking lot at 109 Adelaide St. on Friday with a gunshot wound to the head. Police said the initial call reporting shots fired came in around 9 p.m. and Vasquez was pronounced dead at the scene less than 20 minutes after officers arrived.

Police told the New Haven-based ABC affiliate WTNH they have a lead on a suspect, but declined to release further information, citing the ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about the killing of Vasquez is asked to call Lt. Brian Foley of the Hartford Police Department at (860) 757-4463.

In an unrelated incident, Hartford had its 23rd homicide of the year as Katherine Santiago, 23, is suspected of strangling her boyfriend, 27-year-old Marcos DeJesus, following a domestic dispute. Santiago has been charged with murder and the incident, reported Saturday afternoon, marked the city's latest killing as 2013 comes to a close.

Obituaries from The Republican.

Rose Santangelo 

Rose M. Santangelo, 86, of East Longmeadow, passed away on Saturday. She was born in Springfield, and was a graduate of High School of Commerce. In her early years, she was a resident of Springfield and was employed by Hampden Color & Chemical Co. Later she worked as a bookkeeper for Raymond F. Fusaro Builders for many years. She was a 47-year resident of East Longmeadow and a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Church.

Obituaries from The Republican:

• 
  Arsenault, Wayne (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Barbato, Joseph and Rose (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Barbato, Joseph P. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Barnes Jr., Lloyd (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Barone III, Amico J.
  



• 
  Baruffaldi, Peter (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Bitsacos, Lena (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Bombardier, Marian (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Bonavita, Albert J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Buckingham, Charles (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Budnik, Ida and Ted (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Callahan Jr., M.D., William E.
  



• 
  Carroll Jr., Theodore W. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cavanaugh, Maureen
  



• 
  Cecchi, Anthony A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Champagne Jr., Lou (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Ciocci, Dino G. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Clark, Gary B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cobb, Connie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cochrane, Annamarie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Collins, Thomas F. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Cuffy, Marian (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Curto, Damien (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dalessio, Roger A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  DalMolin, Dino J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dalmolin, Egidio (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dandurand, Ellen (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Dandurand, Ellen (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Demers Sr., Francis R.
  



• 
  Drawee, Carol M. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Enko, William (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Ennaco, Ralph (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Feeney, Ashley M. and Evan J. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fei, Horst (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fessenden, Sheryl B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Field, Larry (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fitzgerald Sr., Robert E. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Flavin, Chester E. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fleming, Alice Ginger Cleo Lola (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Forgue, Laura McQuade (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Franceschelli, Victor A. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Fratamico, Thomson (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Garcia, Carlos R. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Garneau, Rose N. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Garneau, Rose N. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gilhooly, James F. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Girard, Leo (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gokey, Ruth, George and Earl (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Gordon, Doris C. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Green, Alvin B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Griffin, William B. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Hajec, Star (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Henderson, Agnes "Nan" (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Holly, Lewis (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Hubbard, Hugh
  



• 
  Iellamo, Nellie (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones Sr., Alkra Lee (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones, Amy O. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Jones, Emma (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Kapinos, Edward (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Kenyon, Donald R. (In Memoriam)
  



• 
  Kibbe, Claire (In Memoriam)
  



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7 weeks after President Evan Dobelle's departure, the search for Westfield State University's next president will begin, and students, teachers, administrators, staff and alumni will be consulted at the start of the search process.

WESTFIELD — The search for Westfield State University’s next president will begin after the new year with the school’s trustees seeking opinions on what kind of leader the campus wants, trustee chairman John F. Flynn III said.

Seven weeks after President Evan Dobelle’s departure, Flynn said students, teachers, administrators, staff and alumni will be consulted at the start of the search process.

“We want to hear from the campus,” he said, explaining that meetings will be scheduled with various campus groups after classes resume in January.

Flynn gave a strong vote of confidence to interim President Elizabeth H. Preston, saying the school will benefit from her leadership skills and 24 years experience as a professor, dean and vice president.

Under school bylaws, Preston, the vice president for academic affairs, automatically took over as short-term replacement for Dobelle after his abrupt retirement Nov. 8.

The trustees later appointed her as interim president until a permanent replacement is found.

The university and three trustees are defendants in a lawsuit filed by Dobelle after the trustees placed him on paid leave in October.

Filed in U.S. District Court, the suit contends that trustees Elizabeth D. Scheibel, Kevin Queenin and Flynn conspired with state Higher Education Commissioner Richard M. Freeland and others to violate his contract and constitutional rights.

Freeland pressured Dobelle to defend using university funds to pay for airfare, hotels, restaurants and limousines while traveling in Asia, Europe and Central America, as well as frequent trips to Washington, D.C., Florida and California.

In the suit filed on Oct. 24, Dobelle said he was the victim of Flynn and Freeland, who pressured him to leave Westfield State for their own benefit.

Magistrate Judge Kenneth P. Neiman gave Dobelle until Dec. 23 to file additional allegations. In a motion submitted in December, Dobelle’s lawyer, Katherine Romel, said events occurring after the lawsuit was filed will bolster her client’s case.

Lawyers for the university, the trustees, Freeland and other defendants asked Neiman to throw out the lawsuit, claiming Dobelle voluntarily surrendered his job.

The school is already facing more than $500,000 in legal fees from the state inspector general’s investigation into Dobelle’s travel, and the costs are expected to rise sharply in coming weeks.

The trustee’s finance subcommittee will meet Jan. 13 to review the impact of the Dobelle controversy on the school’s current budget.

In his lawsuit and public statements, Dobelle has maintained that visits to Cuba, China, Thailand, Spain, Vietnam and other countries, along with 15 trips to San Francisco, benefited the university.

Monday's deadline for signing up for insurance under the new health care law has effectively been extended through Tuesday in case of heavy demand on the government website.

CARLA K. JOHNSON, AP Medical Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Monday's deadline for signing up for insurance under the new health care law has effectively been extended through Tuesday in case of heavy demand on the government website.

Julie Bataille, a spokeswoman for the federal agency overseeing the Obama administration's health overhaul, says the grace period is being offered to accommodate people from different time zones and to deal with potential technical problems that could result from a last-minute rush of applicants.

Monday was the deadline for Americans who wanted coverage that started on Jan. 1.

The federal HealthCare.gov system serves 36 states. Some other states have also extended enrollment deadlines slightly.

Bardwell said he feels the training is important, as there continues to be intolerance and prejudice in the community. He pointed to an alleged hate crime that occurred last month involving a female victim, a former Monson student.

MONSON — Monson High School Guidance Director Robert E. Bardwell is requesting financial support for an anti-bullying and prejudice reduction program called “Bridges” that he hopes to bring to all 91 freshmen this year.

Over the past eight years, only 25 students across all grade levels have participated in the program, which is conducted by the National Conference for Community and Justice.

Those students were involved in the STAND (Students for Tolerance, Awareness and Nurturing Diversity) extra-curricular club and others were selected to participate or volunteered. Bardwell said he thinks that Bridges is such a good program that he wanted to do it on a “grander scale.”

Bardwell hopes to have the program over a two-day period in March; staff also will be trained. Since more students will be involved, it will cost $4,000 to run as additional trainers are needed; previously, it did not cost the district anything.

He hopes selectmen will donate $1,000 from the gifts to the town account, and he said he also will solicit donations from businesses.

Bardwell presented the idea to the School Committee on Dec. 18, and he was given the go-ahead to seek donations.

He said he feels the training is important, as there continues to be intolerance and prejudice in the community. He pointed to an alleged hate crime that occurred last month involving a female victim, a former Monson student, who was punched in the face after comments were made about her sexual orientation.

“That validates that we still have a long way to go in terms of making our community tolerant and safe,” Bardwell said.

He hopes that by having all students participate in the program, it will make the school and community more tolerant. The program also examines how individuals are treated. Bardwell described the training as “intense” and said it can even be emotional for some students. The goal is to hopefully raise awareness and increase sensitivity toward someone who is different, he said.

“In an ideal world, this will become the ritual program of ninth grade,” Bardwell said.

Several students who participated in Bridges last year said they felt like they got a lot out of it.

Sophomore Sara M. Foster, 15, said she volunteered to be part of the Bridges program, and was interested in it because of its anti-bullying and diversity mission. Foster said she felt like she got a lot out of the training, and thinks that because of it, she is more accepting of others.

Senior Melanie A. Griswold, 17, who was recruited for the program, described it as “eye-opening.” Griswold said it reinforced that people should be treated with respect. She’s tried to bring the lessons she was taught through Bridges back to the school.

“You definitely think of the things you say to other people and how you treat them. It definitely helped me to be more aware,” Griswold said.

Any businesses or individuals interested in donating funds for Bridges can contact Bardwell at (413) 267-4589, ext. 1109.

The inauguration of elected Holyoke officials will be Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. at City Hall.

HOLYOKE — Mayor Alex B. Morse will be sworn into his second term in an inauguration ceremony Jan. 6 that will feature incumbent and newly elected members of the City Council and School Committee.

The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the City Hall auditorium at High and Dwight streets.

City Clerk-elect Brenna Murphy McGee, currently a city councilor, will take the oath of office to become clerk, administered to her by a district court judge, and then she will administer the oath to the other elected officials, Morse said.

Before the ceremony, a multifaith service will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the United Congregational Church, 300 Appleton St., Morse said.

Morse won a second term by defeating Jeffrey A. Stanek, a city native and accountant who was a newcomer to politics, on Nov. 5.

Morse said he was eager to begin working on the responsibility voters gave him with a new term.

"In the past two years, we've laid a strong foundation and I look forward to implementing that strategy. ... I'm looking forward to trying to work with the City Council and I'm looking forward to being chairman of the School Committee," Morse said.

Also, the mayor's inaugural ball will be Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at The Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road. For ticket and other information, visit the 2014 Inaugural Ball Facebook page.

Terms for mayor, City Council and most School Committee seats are for two years.

The 15-member City Council will include returning incumbents President Kevin A. Jourdain, who is a councilor at large, and at large members Peter R. Tallman, Joseph M. McGiverin, Rebecca Lisi, James M. Leahy and Daniel B. Bresnahan; Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Ward 1; Anthony Soto, Ward 2; David K. Bartley, Ward 3; Linda L. Vacon, Ward 5; Todd A. McGee, Ward 6; and Gordon P. Alexander, Ward 7.

New to the council will be at large members Howard B. Greaney Jr., a School Committee member, and Jennifer E. Chateauneuf, co-owner of Nick’s Nest restaurant on Northampton Street, along with Jossie M. Valentin, Ward 4.

The 10-member School Committee will have five new members. Greaney is two years into a four-year term. Upon being sworn in as a city councilor in January, the City Council and School Committee will meet and together vote someone to complete Greaney's term.

Returning members of the school board are Devin M. Sheehan, who previously was Ward 5 member but ran and won on Nov. 5 as a committee member at large; Dennis W. Birks Jr., Ward 3; Cesar A. Lopez, Ward 4; William R. Collamore, Ward 6; and Morse as chairman.

New school board members are Mildred I. Lefebvre, Ward 1; R. Tensley Williams, Ward 2; John P. Brunelle, Ward 5; and Erin B. Brunelle, Ward 7.

Murphy McGee will begin a four-year term. She will take over as city clerk from Suzanne Mead, whom the City Council appointed to the position after the March 1 retirement of Susan M. Egan, who had been clerk for more than 20 years. Mead will return to her previous position of assistant registrar of voters.

City Treasurer Jon D. Lumbra also will be sworn into a second, four-year term.

The new 21,000-square-foot Chicopee Senior Center will be more than twice the size of the existing center.

CHICOPEE — After checking out the new fitness room and an exercise room next door, the arts center and the two-tiered gas fireplace, George Maciolek and Harry Pray gave their seal of approval.

With construction about 80 percent complete on the new $8 million senior center on West Main Street, the city opened it up to tours for city councilors, senior citizens and others last Thursday.

“It is beautiful. You could get lost in this building,” Maciolek said.

“It is a big, big difference. It fools your eye when you first look at it,” Pray said.

From the street, the center does look small because it is built into a slope and only the second floor can be seen from the street. People will actually enter the building from a parking lot on the lower level, after driving down a gently sloped driveway.

“I will guarantee this place will be full,” Pray said.

The 21,000-square-foot center is more than twice the size of the existing senior center, and it is carefully designed to meet the needs of the very active to the very infirm older adult, said Sandra Lapollo, executive director of the Council on Aging.

It is being constructed on the former site of the Facemate factory campus and along the banks of the Chicopee River, on land now called River Mills.

Pointing to the stairway, Lapollo explained the three tiers of stairs, broken up by landings, are designed so people see one-third of the stairs at a time so they are not intimidated. In addition there will be railings on both sides of the stairs and each railing has two heights to better meet the needs of taller and shorter people, she said.

There are even more rest rooms than required by code and some are designed for people with specialized needs, such as an extra large companion rest room designed for people who may need assistance.

“I can’t say enough good things about Fontaine (Brothers) and I can’t say enough good about our designer, edm,” said Christopher Nolan, project manager for the Community Development Department, as he led the tour.

Construction was expected to be completed in late spring, but Nolan said the project is “substantially ahead of schedule” and he expects the last odds and ends to be finished in March.

Showing off the different rooms, Lapollo said there will be two exercise rooms where there is barely one now. One will be mainly for workout equipment such as treadmills and stationary bicycles that can be used any time and the second for classes ranging from yoga and tai chi to dancing and aerobics. There are also nearby changing rooms with showers.

Nearby is an art room with a full wall of windows with northern exposure. That room will be used for painting, book clubs, writing, beading and any other activities, she said.

“This will be a room people will be clambering to use. It is light and airy. It has a great view,” she said.

The one thing seniors will not see is a computer lab. Instead the entire building will be wired for Wi-Fi and laptops will be available for anyone who wants to take them out and use them in the coffee shop, meeting rooms or other places.

Two soldiers from Methuen surprised their children at an annual Christmas show by coming home for the holidays.

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The company, based in Framingham, just west of Boston, gave up its license and filed for bankruptcy protection after it was flooded with hundreds of lawsuits from people who received tainted steroid injections.

BOSTON – Attorneys for creditors of a pharmacy linked to a nationwide meningitis outbreak said Monday they have reached a preliminary settlement that would set up a victim compensation fund worth more than $100 million.

Attorney William Baldiga said the agreement was reached among creditors, bankruptcy trustee Paul D. Moore and the owners and insurers of the New England Compounding Center. The deal needs approval from a bankruptcy judge and likely will be filed in the next few weeks.

The company, based in Framingham, just west of Boston, gave up its license and filed for bankruptcy protection after it was flooded with hundreds of lawsuits from people who received tainted steroid injections.

Baldiga represents the creditors’ committee set up by the bankruptcy court. Most of the creditors are victims who have filed lawsuits.

About 750 people in 20 states have developed fungal meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord, or other infections; 64 have died. Michigan, Tennessee and Indiana were hit the hardest.

A federal investigation of the company started more than a year ago but hasn’t resulted in any criminal charges. The company’s owners said in a press release announcing the settlement that they deny any liability or wrongdoing but want to play a major role in establishing a fund for people who died or suffered.

Victims have until Jan. 15 to file claims.

Baldiga said he expects the fund to grow significantly with contributions from others who may have been sued. He said the settlement was reached over the weekend and those involved wanted to announce it as soon as possible so victims who are considering claims know that there is substantial money available.

The initial $100 million will come from cash contributions by the owners of NECC and proceeds from insurance, tax refunds and the sale of a related business.

Baldiga called it “an important step, but a first step only.”

“We expect the fund to grow considerably as we proceed in the weeks and months to come,” he said.

"The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition" a book by Carole Aebersold and Chanda Bell published in 2005 made USA Today's best-seller list for the first time this year.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. The most viewed photo gallery, most notable deaths this year, is above.

1) Paul Picknelly may have hit the jackpot with MGM Springfield casino plan [Dan Ring]

2) Springfield crime: city homicide rate up after 19th homicide of 2013 [Conor Berry]

3) Elf on the Shelf: Parents test their creativity with an elf in the house for Christmas [Lori Stabile]

4) Springfield police continue to investigate Maple Street shooting that injured man [Conor Berry]

5) Father tosses son off roof, then jumps to own death, after custody dispute, NYC police say [Associated Press]

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees is under contract with the district to conduct the search. They laid out a timeline saying finalists would be named by March and the committee would appoint a new superintendent on April 17, and begin work on July 1.

Richard Fritsch 

BELCHERTOWN – The school board appointed a 15-person superintendent screening committee on Monday and expects to name a replacement for the departing Judith Houle by springtime.

The job has been advertised with a salary range of $120,000 to $135,000.

The Massachusetts Association of School Committees [MASC] is under contract with the district to conduct the search. They laid out a timeline saying finalists would be named by March and the committee would appoint a new superintendent on April 17, and begin work on July 1.

One member of the ad-hoc superintendent screening panel is selectman Brenda Aldrich. She told selectmen at an October meeting that the cost to the town for the search consultant would be in the area of $16,000 to $20,000.

Administrators on the panel are high school principal Christine Vigneux and assistant superintendent Brian Cameron; teachers serving are Ron McClure, Cheryl Relihan and Christine Niquette; non-teaching staff are Joanne Gosselin and Christina Aponte; school board members are Myndi Bagdanovich and Richard Fritsch; community members are Hans Mentzen and Paula Moran.

The three parents named to the panel are Jon Endelos, Andy DiNapoli and Mona Griffin. Eleven parents sought the appointment.

The MASC field director Patricia Correira shared results of surveys and interviews related to the search in a six-page report.

Among the “key issues to address,” Correira wrote in the memorandum to the school committee are “stability” and “continuing support for school faculty.”

“Belchertown stakeholders were extraordinarily perceptive in identifying their critical needs,” Correira wrote in the Dec. 17 document.

“It is now time for stability, including stable leadership of a long term superintendent who understands the kind of work that makes success. The faculty suffers a crisis of morale because of a perceived lack of communication,” she wrote.

Houle told the committee in August she would not seek a contract extension when her current pact ends in June. She was hired in 2009 to run the nearly 2,500 student public school system.