Springfield, Massachusetts News
Articles 61 - 70 of most recent articles
Judges to aid Springfield District Court
By BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - The crowded District Court docket here will soon get some temporary relief, with District Courts judges from four other courts each working in Springfield one morning a week. District Court Judge William J. Boyle, presiding justice here, said, "I'm glad there is a recognition by Boston and the regional office that the Springfield District Court has overwhelming needs and an overwhelming number of cases." Regional Administrative Judge Richard J. Carey notified District Court judges in the region last month that beginning Oct. 6, "we will eliminate a morning judicial session each week in Westfield, Chicopee, Northampton and Palmer District Courts." The judges routinely assigned to these divisions "will instead assist the Springfield District Court for the morning session" before returning to the 2 p.m. session at their own courts, said Carey, who is also a presiding judge in Northampton. The schedule will be adjusted so judges in the other four courts will stay in their own courts all day on the weeks when they have jury trials. Carey said the retirements in this region of Judges Alfred A. Barbalunga, Robert L. Howarth, William W. Teahan and Hebert H. Hodos has caused the shortage of judges. Boyle said he is anticipating the vacant District Court slots in the region will be filled and at least one new judge will be assigned specifically to Springfield as was Teahan. He said he would expect Springfield would also get some of the time of an additional new judge who would perhaps be rotating between courts. The judges from the four courts who will come here a morning a week will be assigned to non-trial sessions, freeing up Springfield District Court judges for trials, Boyle said. The goal is to have seven sessions running, including two trial sessions, but sometimes shortage of judges has seen only four or fewer courtrooms going on a given day, Boyle. Some defense lawyers have been frustrated during the summer because they could not get their trials scheduled. Boyle said that 20,292 new charges were begun in District Court here, the busiest in the state, in the first eight months of this year. Those included 2,348 assault charges, 419 firearms charges and 2,326 narcotics charges. "Even with shortages we were able to resolve cases in a timely fashion," he said. "Everyone has been really overwhelmed," Boyle said, citing all the court departments that make the process flow. Boyle, in hoping for the vacant positions to be filled without more delay, said, "It was no secret that these judges would be leaving." Another change that is being instituted in the fall is for District Court civil trials from outlying districts to be held in Springfield District Court at a session reserved for civil matters, Boyle said. He said that all pre-trial matters will be held in the courts in which the civil matters are filed, but the actual trials will be held here.
MassLive.com – 21 hours, 48 minutes ago ¦ comment?
By BUFFY SPENCER bspencer@repub.com SPRINGFIELD - The crowded District Court docket here will soon get some temporary relief, with District Courts judges from four other courts each working in Springfield one morning a week. District Court Judge William J. Boyle, presiding justice here, said, "I'm glad there is a recognition by Boston and the regional office that the Springfield District Court has overwhelming needs and an overwhelming number of cases." Regional Administrative Judge Richard J. Carey notified District Court judges in the region last month that beginning Oct. 6, "we will eliminate a morning judicial session each week in Westfield, Chicopee, Northampton and Palmer District Courts." The judges routinely assigned to these divisions "will instead assist the Springfield District Court for the morning session" before returning to the 2 p.m. session at their own courts, said Carey, who is also a presiding judge in Northampton. The schedule will be adjusted so judges in the other four courts will stay in their own courts all day on the weeks when they have jury trials. Carey said the retirements in this region of Judges Alfred A. Barbalunga, Robert L. Howarth, William W. Teahan and Hebert H. Hodos has caused the shortage of judges. Boyle said he is anticipating the vacant District Court slots in the region will be filled and at least one new judge will be assigned specifically to Springfield as was Teahan. He said he would expect Springfield would also get some of the time of an additional new judge who would perhaps be rotating between courts. The judges from the four courts who will come here a morning a week will be assigned to non-trial sessions, freeing up Springfield District Court judges for trials, Boyle said. The goal is to have seven sessions running, including two trial sessions, but sometimes shortage of judges has seen only four or fewer courtrooms going on a given day, Boyle. Some defense lawyers have been frustrated during the summer because they could not get their trials scheduled. Boyle said that 20,292 new charges were begun in District Court here, the busiest in the state, in the first eight months of this year. Those included 2,348 assault charges, 419 firearms charges and 2,326 narcotics charges. "Even with shortages we were able to resolve cases in a timely fashion," he said. "Everyone has been really overwhelmed," Boyle said, citing all the court departments that make the process flow. Boyle, in hoping for the vacant positions to be filled without more delay, said, "It was no secret that these judges would be leaving." Another change that is being instituted in the fall is for District Court civil trials from outlying districts to be held in Springfield District Court at a session reserved for civil matters, Boyle said. He said that all pre-trial matters will be held in the courts in which the civil matters are filed, but the actual trials will be held here.
MassLive.com – 21 hours, 48 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Mass. treasurer warns budget could be $1 billion out of balance
By DAN RING dring@repub.com BOSTON - Nearly two months after passage of a state budget, the Patrick administration and the state treasurer are warning that the spending plan could be up to $1 billion out of balance. In a 99-page report prepared last month for potential investors in state bonds, Leslie A. Kirwan, the secretary of administration and finance, and Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill said the state could be facing $600 million in costs not factored into the $28.16 billion budget and that tax collections could be $400 million short of projections for the fiscal year. Legislators are poised to possibly return to formal sessions in November to vote on whether to give Gov. Deval L. Patrick expanded authority for cutting the budget during the fiscal year. The report said a large portion of unexpected costs could come from skyrocketing energy prices. The report also cited growth in services important in an economic downturn such as increased expenses for Medicaid, a federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the poor and disabled, and Commonwealth Care, which provides subsidized health care for low and moderate income people. Kirwan said today that she is also concerned about a possible shortfall in capital gains taxes, raised largely from profits from the sale of stock. The stock market is down about 20 percent from a peak after the Dow fell another 344 points today. Kirwan said the administration is monitoring the state's finances and is putting into effect a management plan for dealing with potential revenue shortfalls. Leaders of state agencies are developing plans to cut budgets should tax collections fall below projections used to craft the state budget. While the report said tax collections could be $400 million less than projected this fiscal year, Kirwan said it's too early to determine if that will actually happen. "We haven't yet seen a significant revenue loss," Kirwan said. "We're going to be watching very carefully what happens." State officials will learn more from tax collections in September. Cahill cautioned in March that the state is spending too much. He said Thursday that leaders in state government may not be heeding his warning. Cahill said the state borrowed $500 million in August because of a cash shortage in state government, the earliest in a fiscal year the state has ever borrowed to meet needs for cash flow. "There's no question we are spending money before we are receiving it," Cahill said. "There's no question it's a real problem." Cahill said the state may need to borrow again this month to provide an estimated $1 billion quarterly payment on state aid to cities and towns. "We'll keep putting up the warning signs as long as there are warning signs," Cahill said. Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, the No. 2 ranking member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said that the chances are "50-50" that legislators will return to Beacon Hill this year to deal with a possible budget crisis. Patrick has asked legislators to vote to give him expanded powers to make emergency cuts throughout the budget including local aid, the judiciary, district attorneys and county sheriffs. Right now, Patrick can impose emergency cuts in executive branch agencies without legislative approval. Patrick has said he wants the option to spread possible cuts throughout the budget to ease the pain. Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, the ranking Republican on Senate Ways and Means, criticized the Democrat-controlled Legislature for approving too much spending in this year's budget. Brewer said it was balanced when passed. In July, Patrick vetoed $122.5 million from the budget, but state legislators voted to restore $56.4 million of those vetoes.
MassLive.com – 22 hours, 1 minute ago ¦ comment?
By DAN RING dring@repub.com BOSTON - Nearly two months after passage of a state budget, the Patrick administration and the state treasurer are warning that the spending plan could be up to $1 billion out of balance. In a 99-page report prepared last month for potential investors in state bonds, Leslie A. Kirwan, the secretary of administration and finance, and Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill said the state could be facing $600 million in costs not factored into the $28.16 billion budget and that tax collections could be $400 million short of projections for the fiscal year. Legislators are poised to possibly return to formal sessions in November to vote on whether to give Gov. Deval L. Patrick expanded authority for cutting the budget during the fiscal year. The report said a large portion of unexpected costs could come from skyrocketing energy prices. The report also cited growth in services important in an economic downturn such as increased expenses for Medicaid, a federal-state program that helps pay for health care for the poor and disabled, and Commonwealth Care, which provides subsidized health care for low and moderate income people. Kirwan said today that she is also concerned about a possible shortfall in capital gains taxes, raised largely from profits from the sale of stock. The stock market is down about 20 percent from a peak after the Dow fell another 344 points today. Kirwan said the administration is monitoring the state's finances and is putting into effect a management plan for dealing with potential revenue shortfalls. Leaders of state agencies are developing plans to cut budgets should tax collections fall below projections used to craft the state budget. While the report said tax collections could be $400 million less than projected this fiscal year, Kirwan said it's too early to determine if that will actually happen. "We haven't yet seen a significant revenue loss," Kirwan said. "We're going to be watching very carefully what happens." State officials will learn more from tax collections in September. Cahill cautioned in March that the state is spending too much. He said Thursday that leaders in state government may not be heeding his warning. Cahill said the state borrowed $500 million in August because of a cash shortage in state government, the earliest in a fiscal year the state has ever borrowed to meet needs for cash flow. "There's no question we are spending money before we are receiving it," Cahill said. "There's no question it's a real problem." Cahill said the state may need to borrow again this month to provide an estimated $1 billion quarterly payment on state aid to cities and towns. "We'll keep putting up the warning signs as long as there are warning signs," Cahill said. Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, the No. 2 ranking member on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said that the chances are "50-50" that legislators will return to Beacon Hill this year to deal with a possible budget crisis. Patrick has asked legislators to vote to give him expanded powers to make emergency cuts throughout the budget including local aid, the judiciary, district attorneys and county sheriffs. Right now, Patrick can impose emergency cuts in executive branch agencies without legislative approval. Patrick has said he wants the option to spread possible cuts throughout the budget to ease the pain. Sen. Michael R. Knapik, R-Westfield, the ranking Republican on Senate Ways and Means, criticized the Democrat-controlled Legislature for approving too much spending in this year's budget. Brewer said it was balanced when passed. In July, Patrick vetoed $122.5 million from the budget, but state legislators voted to restore $56.4 million of those vetoes.
MassLive.com – 22 hours, 1 minute ago ¦ comment?
Red Cross chapters consider a merger
By FRED CONTRADA fcontrada@repub.com NORTHAMPTON - American Red Cross officials are considering a cost-saving merger that would consolidate the Hampshire-Franklin chapter and the larger Pioneer Valley chapter. Details of the merger are yet to be worked out, but the level of services provided in Hampshire and Franklin counties would not diminish and the Red Cross would maintain an office here, according to Richard A. Lee, the executive director of the Pioneer Valley chapter. As Lee explained it, smaller Red Cross chapters such as Hampshire-Franklin have been struggling with an increased demand for services since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. At the same time, fund-raising has taken a downward turn with the declining economy. Richard H. Connor, the vice president of the Hampshire-Franklin board of directors, said his chapter began seriously looking for new options after executive director Ronald Speakes left to take a job in another part of the country in June. "We felt this was something we should meet head-on rather than be reactive," Connor said. After consulting with the national Red Cross headquarters, the Franklin-Hampshire chapter approached officials at the Pioneer Valley chapter. The Pioneer Valley's board of directors met today to discuss the ramifications of a merger. Lee said his board will make a final decision by its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 23. In addition to providing relief to the victims of fires, hurricanes and other disasters, the Red Cross teaches first aid and assists the families of active military members. The Hampshire-Franklin and Pioneer Valley chapters already have a history of cooperation in the Red Cross mission to assist military families. Lee said a merger would consolidate administrative costs and free up the Hampshire-Franklin chapter to devote more of its resources on disaster relief and other programs. Currently, the Hampshire-Franklin chapter has 2.5 full-time positions and a budget of about $300,000. By comparison, the Pioneer Valley chapter has more than 20 full-time positions and a budget of $2.2 million. William O. Trudeau, the chairman of the Pioneer Valley chapter's board of directors, said the two chapters are carefully analyzing how a merger would affect them both financially and structurally. The bottom line, however, is adhering to the Red Cross mission. "How can we best serve our clients?" he said. "You want to run an efficient operation."
MassLive.com – 22 hours, 10 minutes ago ¦ comment?
By FRED CONTRADA fcontrada@repub.com NORTHAMPTON - American Red Cross officials are considering a cost-saving merger that would consolidate the Hampshire-Franklin chapter and the larger Pioneer Valley chapter. Details of the merger are yet to be worked out, but the level of services provided in Hampshire and Franklin counties would not diminish and the Red Cross would maintain an office here, according to Richard A. Lee, the executive director of the Pioneer Valley chapter. As Lee explained it, smaller Red Cross chapters such as Hampshire-Franklin have been struggling with an increased demand for services since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. At the same time, fund-raising has taken a downward turn with the declining economy. Richard H. Connor, the vice president of the Hampshire-Franklin board of directors, said his chapter began seriously looking for new options after executive director Ronald Speakes left to take a job in another part of the country in June. "We felt this was something we should meet head-on rather than be reactive," Connor said. After consulting with the national Red Cross headquarters, the Franklin-Hampshire chapter approached officials at the Pioneer Valley chapter. The Pioneer Valley's board of directors met today to discuss the ramifications of a merger. Lee said his board will make a final decision by its next scheduled meeting on Oct. 23. In addition to providing relief to the victims of fires, hurricanes and other disasters, the Red Cross teaches first aid and assists the families of active military members. The Hampshire-Franklin and Pioneer Valley chapters already have a history of cooperation in the Red Cross mission to assist military families. Lee said a merger would consolidate administrative costs and free up the Hampshire-Franklin chapter to devote more of its resources on disaster relief and other programs. Currently, the Hampshire-Franklin chapter has 2.5 full-time positions and a budget of about $300,000. By comparison, the Pioneer Valley chapter has more than 20 full-time positions and a budget of $2.2 million. William O. Trudeau, the chairman of the Pioneer Valley chapter's board of directors, said the two chapters are carefully analyzing how a merger would affect them both financially and structurally. The bottom line, however, is adhering to the Red Cross mission. "How can we best serve our clients?" he said. "You want to run an efficient operation."
MassLive.com – 22 hours, 10 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Air passenger service returning to Worcester
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 9:04 PM ET WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - State officials are set to announce a new scheduled air passenger service for the Worcester Regional Airport for the...
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 14 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 9:04 PM ET WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - State officials are set to announce a new scheduled air passenger service for the Worcester Regional Airport for the...
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 14 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Dick Vitale to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 9:04 PM ET SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale is joining some of the basketball's biggest names enshrined at the Naismith Basketball...
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 14 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 9:04 PM ET SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale is joining some of the basketball's biggest names enshrined at the Naismith Basketball...
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 14 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Cracking down on drunk drivers
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Hundreds die each year and thousands suffer life altering injuries because they got behind the wheel after too many drinks.
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 34 minutes ago ¦ comment?
AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Hundreds die each year and thousands suffer life altering injuries because they got behind the wheel after too many drinks.
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 34 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Woman dubbed Al-Qaida backer skips NY arraignment
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 8:24 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - A former MIT student labeled as an al-Qaida supporter has refused to answer criminal charges in a New York courtroom.
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 54 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Associated Press - September 4, 2008 8:24 PM ET NEW YORK (AP) - A former MIT student labeled as an al-Qaida supporter has refused to answer criminal charges in a New York courtroom.
WWLP.com – 22 hours, 54 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Great New England Air Show this weekend
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - On Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th, Westover Air Reserve Base will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force Reserve by hosting The Great New England Air Show.
WWLP.com – 23 hours, 3 minutes ago ¦ comment?
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - On Saturday and Sunday, September 6th and 7th, Westover Air Reserve Base will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force Reserve by hosting The Great New England Air Show.
WWLP.com – 23 hours, 3 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Feeding Hills Boy Severely Injured While Riding to School
A 12-year-old boy crashes his bicycle into a loaded dump truck while riding to school.
cbs3springfield.com – 23 hours, 25 minutes ago ¦ comment?
A 12-year-old boy crashes his bicycle into a loaded dump truck while riding to school.
cbs3springfield.com – 23 hours, 25 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Tropical Storm Hanna Threatens Local Traditions
Planes in flight, antiques for sale, and a carnival for the kids, these three Western Mass traditions are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. But with Tropical Storm Hanna on the way, will this weekend's events be a wash?
cbs3springfield.com – 23 hours, 25 minutes ago ¦ comment?
Planes in flight, antiques for sale, and a carnival for the kids, these three Western Mass traditions are expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors. But with Tropical Storm Hanna on the way, will this weekend's events be a wash?
cbs3springfield.com – 23 hours, 25 minutes ago ¦ comment?
