LATEST MASSACHUSETTS NEWS
Massachusetts pool operators admit letting kids...
Two former Massachusetts recreation managers have admitted that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict them of reckless endangerment of a child for opening a murky state-run pool where the body of a drowned woman went unnoticed for two days.
Proposal requires minimum standards for dementia...
Patient advocates called on state lawmakers today to close a loophole in Massachusetts law that allows nursing homes to advertise specialized Alzheimer's and dementia care units, even though their workers may have no training in caring for such patients.
2 Massachusetts workers get probation in murky...
Two former Massachusetts recreation managers have admitted that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict them of reckless endangerment of a child for opening a murky state-run pool where the body of a drowned woman went unnoticed for two days.
University of Massachusetts to celebrate Charles...
The University of Massachusetts Lowell today announced plans to celebrate Charles Dickens's 200th birthday with seven months of events, beginning at the end of March. Dickens was born Feb. 7, 1812.
MITX Announces New Chairman, Joe Grimaldi, CEO &...
The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange , New England's leading digital marketing, media and Internet business nonprofit association, announced today that Joe
Massachusetts' Top Two Youth Volunteers Selected...
Rebecca Ackerman, 16, of Westborough and Grace Kirrane, 12, of Fitchburg today were named Massachusetts' top two youth volunteers for 2012 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Bartlett Avenue home to be razed
Wednesday February 8, 2012 PITTSFIELD -- The Bartlett Avenue apartment building gutted by a massive fire last spring soon will be demolished
Olver directed $5.1M to project near home
Wednesday February 8, 2012 WASHINGTON -- A months-long investigation by The Washington Post has identified U.
'Scarlet letter' for gang IDs is pulled
Wednesday February 8, 2012 BOSTON -- A Massachusetts lawmaker who proposed a bill to have the letter "G" affixed to the driver’s
Two take out papers for office bids
Wednesday February 8, 2012 PITTSFIELD -- Two Berkshire County residents on Tuesday obtained nomination papers at City Hall for separate elected
Southeastern Massachusetts mayors meet
Four Southeastern Massachusetts cities are teaming up to bring their communities together and make their economies stronger.
Massachusetts gas prices edge up another 2 cents
Massachusetts residents are paying two more cents a gallon at the gas pump, the seventh consecutive week of increases.
Mitt Romney now trains fire on Rick Santorum in...
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is going after a new foe: former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. Until now, the former Massachusetts governor has focused most of his attention on former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who beat Romney in the South Carolina primary and has been his most formidable opponent so far, despite Santorum's narrow victory over Romney in the Jan. 3 Iowa ...
Massachusetts, California, and New York...
Massachusetts, California and New York were considering Monday whether to join most other states in backing a long-awaited settlement with banks over foreclosure abuses. The deal would require the five largest mortgage lenders to reduce loans for about 1 million households. State attorneys general have set a deadline of the end of Monday for states to join the settlement. Homeowners in states ...
Massachusetts stranded-dolphin death toll up to 92
The unexplained beachings of scores of dolphins over the past month along Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is the largest "single-species event" of its kind on record in the northeastern United States, a marine mammal specialist said Monday.

Probation scandal spreads as ex-chief busted
The former acting chief probation officer of Hampden Superior Court in Springfield was arrested today for allegedly...
Feds opening tornado aid centers in Mass.
Federal disaster officials say they plan to open nine assistance centers in the regions of Massachusetts affected by tornadoes in Hampden and Worcester counties.
DA probe threats to MCI-Shirley escapee
SPRINGFIELD -- The state prisons department has suspended two employees and the Hampden district attorney is investigating whether they made death threats to a hospitalized murder suspect.
Woman charged in drug case
Thursday April 14, 2011 PITTSFIELD -- The second of two Hampden County residents accused in February of possessing more than 500 bags of heroin was arraigned on Tuesday in Berkshire Superior Court.
Study: Nantucket healthiest county in Mass.
A survey comparing the overall health in counties across Massachusetts shows Nantucket has the state's healthiest population, while Hampden residents are least healthy.
Hampden Bank swings to Q4 profit
Springfield, Mass.-based Hampden Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: HBNK) said it returned to profitability in the fourth quarter, but the lender faces stagnant growth and some deterioration in its commercial real estate portfolio.The holding company for Hampden Bank reported net income of $491,000, compared with a net loss of $670,000 in the year-ago period.The bank's swing to profits centered on setting aside less money for problem loans. The provision for loan losses was only $300,000 in the fourth...
Hampden woman raped and killed in home invasion
A 19-year-old Springfield man faces charges including murder, rape and home invasion in Hampden after a 47-year-old woman was found dead and a man critically injured. Police say they found 47-year-old Valerie Girouard's body inside her house on Main Street early Friday morning. A male resident, whose name has not been released, was found bleeding on the road outside the home.
Mass. teen ordered held in fatal Hampden stabbing
A judge has ordered a Springfield teen held without bail in connection with a home invasion and stabbing that left a woman dead and a man seriously injured in Hampden. Jesus Gilberto Garcia pleaded not guilty Friday in Hampden County District County after being arrested for the murder of 47-year-old Hampden resident Valerie Girouard, a mother of two.
Arrest made after fatal stabbing in Hampden
HAMPDEN - A Springfield man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion and stabbing that left a woman...
Truck leaks acid waste at Mass. turnpike rest stop
Public safety and environmental officials are cleaning up sulfuric acid waste that leaked from a carrier truck on the Massachusetts Turnpike. The tanker remains isolated at a service plaza in the Hampden County town of Blandford. The rest stop is expected to be closed until at least noon on Wednesday, but it could take until Thursday before the clean-up is finished.
Mass. woman pleads not guilty in baby's death
The mother of a 6-week-old baby who died after being left in a hotel room with his 3-year-old brother has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Erica Luce (LOOSE) was released on personal recognizance after her arraignment Wednesday in Hampden Superior Court.
Water quality monitored on Connecticut River
SPRINGFIELD - Trained volunteers from Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties will collect water samples along...
Springfield stabbing suspect pleads not guilty
A Springfield man charged with fatally stabbing a high school soccer star during a party at a restaurant has pleaded not guilty at his Superior Court arraignment. Eric Denson was ordered held without bail Thursday in Hampden Superior Court after pleading not guilty to murder and two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.
Springfield man convicted of child rape
A 42-year-old Springfield man has been sentenced to up to 13 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting two young girls. Elvin Rodriguez was sentenced Monday in Hampden Superior Court to 11 to 13 years in prison and five years of probation after he was convicted by a jury two counts of rape of a child and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.
Many in Mass. get tax extension due to flooding
Thursday is tax deadline day for some - but not all - Massachusetts residents. If you live on the Cape or Islands, or in the western Massachusetts counties of Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin or Berkshire, you must file your federal and state tax returns by midnight on April 15.
Mass. club pleads no contest in boy's Uzi death
A Massachusetts sporting club is donating $10,000 to children's charities as part of a deal settling criminal charges in the death of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the head with an Uzi during a gun fair. Christopher Bizilj's parents approved the Westfield Sportsman's Club's plea deal reached Thursday in Hampden Superior Court, where his mother's written description of their grief left the judge visibly shaken.
Court hearing in 8-year-old's accidental Uzi death
A court hearing being held for a western Massachusetts sporting club charged in the accidental death of an 8-year-old Connecticut boy who shot himself with an Uzi during a 2008 gun fair at the club. The hearing in the case of the Westfield Sportsman's Club is under way Thursday in Hampden Superior Court. The club has earlier pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and furnishing weapons to minors.
Springfield man acquitted of slaying
A Springfield man has been acquitted of charges that he fatally stabbed another man during a confrontation outside a restaurant. Timoteo Diaz was found not guilty in Hampden Superior Court on Wednesday of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious injury, and assault with a dangerous weapon.
Study: Healthiest counties in eastern Mass.
A new study finds the healthiest counties in Massachusetts are clustered in the eastern part of the state. The report found that Nantucket, Dukes, Middlesex and Norfolk are among the healthiest, while Berkshire and Hampden are among the least healthy.
Strippers sue owners of Springfield area clubs
Exotic dancers and other employees of five Springfield area strip clubs have filed an unfair wages lawsuit against the owners of the clubs. The suit filed in Hampden Superior Court by three dancers, two disc jockeys and two bartenders alleges that the clubs paid them no salaries and denied them standard worker benefits. The dancers say they were expected to pay $40 to $100 kickbacks per shift.
Mass. court orders new trial after uncle confesses
A Massachusetts judge has ordered a new trial for a man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend and her toddler, who died of starvation and dehydration after being left alone with her body in their Springfield apartment. WGGB-TV reports that Hampden Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup issued the ruling Wednesday, more than a year after Paul Fickling's uncle, Alfred Gaynor, confessed to raping and strangling Amy Smith in July 1996 and leaving 22-month-old Destiny Smith to die.
Springfield chief defends handling of beating case
Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet says Springfield's police have been open to the press and public in handling allegations of police brutality. In a meeting with the editorial board of the Springfield Republican, Fitchet said he acted on the advice of city lawyers and Hampden district attorney in not making public the details of the Nov. 27 incident and investigations.
Mass. DA: 3-year-old caused fatal injuries to baby
Prosecutors say a 6-week-old baby found dead in a West Springfield hotel room died of head injuries caused by his 3-year-old brother. Hampden District Attorney William Bennett said Friday the older boy admitted injuring his brother while his mother was out of the room.
Mass. men accused of killing friend's mom on trial
The murder trial of two Springfield men accused of shooting their friend's mother when she surprised them by coming home after they robbed her house has started. Prosecutors said in opening statements in Hampden Superior Court on Monday that Swinkels Laporte and Maxwell Wiggins shot 46-year-old Tracy Bennett outside her home as she returned from a night of roller skating in August 2007.
Mass. man pleads guilty to drunk driving charge
A Holyoke man has been sentenced to a year in jail after pleading guilty to being drunk and causing the car crash in which one of his best friend's died. Jeremy Becker also received five years of probation after pleading guilty in Hampden Superior Court on Thursday to reckless homicide while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

  Western Mass. authorities announce major drug bust
Welcome to YOLONE,
your local news source!