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Friday, October 21, 2005

Former Governor Cellucci Donates $75,000 To MOCA

Former Governor Paul Cellucci making good on a pledge to give away what's left of about 450 thousand dollars in political campaign funds. Wednesday he was in North Adams, where he donated 75-thousand dollars to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

75-thousand-dollar donations will each go to the Jane Doe Fund, the Children's Trust Fund and his alma mater Boston College. Cellucci's donating to the MetroWest Boys and Girls Club, and the Hudson Portuguese Club, saying he wanted to help out his hometown and the entire state that he was proud to serve.

The former Republican governor says he has no plans to seek public office again, although he hasn't completely shut the door.

Mass MoCA Director Joe Thompson says Cellucci's donation will go into the general operating and programming fund.

Thompson says Cellucci and other prominent politicians have consistently supported the museum both publicly and privately, showing they truly believe in the project.

Lenox Selectmen Vote Down Wind Turbine

Selectmen in Lenox have voted against installing a wind turbine by a 3-2 margin.

The proposal called for construction of a temporary wind monitoring tower to measure whether the targeted area of Yokun Ridge would be a viable source of wind power.

Selectman Robert Akroyd, who voted against the so-called MET tower, wants a second public forum in order to further debate on the issue. A similar forum was held two weeks ago.

NA Mayor Declares October Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Mayor John Barrett has declared October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of North Adams.

Barrett spoke at a ceremony this afternoon in front of city hall where he helped plant purple tulips along with District Attorney David Capeless and the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Freeman Center. Debra Hammer-Phillips says we cannot be innocent bystanders of domestic violence, saying we all have to assist victims in getting the help and education they need.

State lawmakers, judges and police chiefs from North Adams, Adams and Williamstown all participated in today's ceremony.

Berkshire DA Comments On Domestic Violence

Berkshire District Attorney David Capeless says the court system alone cannot end domestic violence, instead it has to be a community-wide effort focusing on supporting victims.

Capeless made his comments following an event in North Adams, at which he helped plant purple tulips in front of city hall in honor of National Unity Day Against Domestic Violence.

The D-A says spousal, child and elder abuse is a cycle, one where victims often get lured into trusting their perpetrators. Unlike other crimes, he says victims don't see themselves as victims, and therefore don't seek the help that's available.

Capeless planted purple tulip bulbs in front of city hall along with Mayor John Barrett and Debra Hammer-Phillips, the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Freeman Center, who said seeing the flowers bloom in the spring will help remember the victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Police chiefs from Adams, Williamstown, Lenox and Dalton were each given tulip bulbs to plant in their communities in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Massachusetts' Unemployment Rate Jumps A Half Percentage Point

Some fluctuation in the state unemployment rate in Massachusetts, but in the end it's a wash. State labor officials say that joblessness in the Bay State rose by half a percent in September to 4.7 percent, with a total net loss of 700 jobs reported.

However, the previous month, unemployment in Massachusetts fell by an identical half percent.

Adams Selectmen Want State Refund For Ramble Insurance

The Town of Adams wants the Events Planning Committee to get a refund from the state, 13 hundred 50 dollars to be exact...

The Selectmen are sending a letter to the Governor, State Representative Dan Bosley, Senator Andrea Nuciforo and the state department of conservation and recreation. This after the state made the events planning committee pay for liability insurance for last week's Mount Greylock Ramble. Select Board Chair Myra Wilk, also a member of the volunteer events planning committee, says a 13 hundred 50 dollar bill is especially hard to handle.

Wilk argues further that given the additional tourism dollars the Mount Greylock Ramble brings in each year from visitors coming to Adams from out of town, a 13 hundred 50 dollar investment by the state is miniscule in comparison. Officials at D-C-R have been unavailable for comment.

Kennedy Criticizes Colleagues For Refusing Minimum Wage Hike

"Absolutely unconscionable" - those words from U-S Senator Ted Kennedy after his colleagues voted against increasing the minimum wage, pointing out that since it was last hiked 8 years ago lawmakers have given themselves pay raises seven times.

Kennedy's proposal was to increase the federal minimum wage from 5 dollars, 15 cents an hour to 6-25 an hour over a year-and-a-half.

That went down to defeat by a 51-to-47 margin. Senators also defeated a Republican alternative combining that same wage increase with various breaks and exemptions for small businesses.

Kennedy and other Democrats say it's high time to raise the minimum wage. Republicans claim hiking the minimum wage can work against the poor if small businesses are then forced to cut payrolls or go out of business. Thursday, October 20, 2005

North Adams Welcomes Residents From Sister City In Italy

They came all the way from Northern Italy to North Adams to meet residents from their new sister city...

A group of 24 from Tremosine visited city hall Wednesday morning to exchange gifts with North Adams Mayor John Barrett and several members of city council.

The delegation from Tremosine led by Mayor Francesco Briarava. Briarava received the key to the city from Mayor Barrett, who noted the important contributions made in our city's history by immigrants from Italy and other places.

Many North Adams families can trace their heritage back to Tremosine, which is actually a group of 18 small villages and hamlets.

Bay State Students Fare Well In Recent Test Scores

When it comes to the latest federal test scores, fourth- and eighth-graders in Massachusetts go to the head of the class.

They posted the highest average math and reading scores in the nation. The Bay State also led the country in the percentage of its higher-scoring students.

The 2005 scores come from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a test considered the best measure of how students in every state perform on core subjects.

On reading tests, 83 percent of Massachusetts eighth-graders read at "basic" levels or better; only North Dakota had the same percentage. Similarly, 80 percent of eighth-graders scored basic or higher in math, tying South Dakota and Montana.

Among fourth-graders in Massachusetts, 91 percent scored at "basic" levels or better in math and 78 percent in reading.

State Librarians Urge Legislators For Support

Librarians headed to Beacon Hill Wednesday, calling on legislators to support funding for renovation and building projects at libraries across the Commonwealth.

Two bond bills that would provide over 70 million dollars for library construction are pending in the legislature.

Mass Library Association Legislative Committee co-chair Krista McCloud says the state funding would help libraries keep up with public demand.

McCloud says library investments add value, calling libraries "jewels and centerpieces of their communities." About 25 libraries are on the state's waiting list for renovation projects.

Two Injured In Two-Car Crash In Adams

Two men were transported to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield Friday morning after suffering injuries in a two-vehicle crash in the town of Adams.

The accident involved a pickup truck colliding with a car around 7:30 Friday morning in front of the middle school on Columbia Street. Police shut down the roadway for about 3 hours afterwards.

The crash victims have been identified as 47-year-old James Rogers of North Adams and 53-year-old Michael Potts of Pittsfield.

As of early this afternoon...Potts was listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit while Rogers was still being treated in the emergency room.

Mass Communities Begin Adding Up Damage Done By Rain Storms

Massachusetts communities adding up the damage from a solid week of rain.

In Northern Berkshire, floods damaged state and local roads in North Adams, Cheshire, Florida last weekend...officials are still working to determine exactly how much the necessary repairs will cost.

In Greenfield, Mayor Christine Forgey is requesting federal aid after flooding swamped a trailer park near the Green River.

In Springfield, city officials say the heavy rain during the week has caused more than two million dollars worth of damage.

Hoosac Valley High School swimmers Will Have a Season

Hoosac Valley High School swimmers will have a season, but in most meets, they won’t have that home-pool advantage...

The Adams-Cheshire Regional School District has arranged to hold mostly practices at the Northern Berkshire Y-M-C-A and Mass College of Liberal Arts in North Adams...most meets will be on the road. That led the school committee to approve 15 hundred dollars for the additional transportation costs.

Officials at Hoosac Valley still waiting on firm cost estimates to fix the pool, which will remain closed for the rest of the school year.

Pownal Steps Up Enforcement Of ATV Laws

The Town of Pownal, Vermont stepping up enforcement of local laws pertaining to all-terrain vehicles on town roads.

Town regulations do allow for A-T-V usage on select roads, guided by a variety of state laws that require vehicles be operated only by riders with proper registration and licenses.

Pownal Select Board Chair Nelson Brownell says most of the rule-breakers are the unregistered riders, some of whom are town residents, some of whom come from out of town.

Town officials are also working with the Vermont A-T-V Sportsman’s Association on an action plan to improve enforcement. Brownell says the hope is for more people to join that organization or form a local group, which would increase awareness of the rules.

Brownell says the town constable and wardens will be cracking down on unlicensed A-T-V riders and unregistered vehicles from now until the first snowfall, then the effort will begin anew next spring.

Springfield Mayor Declares State Of Emergency After Heavy Rains

Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan is declaring a state of emergency for the city to help get state funds to help fix the damage caused by a week's worth of rain.

Ryan says the city has suffered at least three million dollars worth of damage. He says the rain has swamped parks, flooded storm drains and leaked through school roofs.

Ryan says an emergency declaration by the governor could help trigger federal financial aid. But a spokesman for the governor says Romney does not have to take such a step to secure assistance.

Eric Fehrnstrom says emergency management officials are surveying damage across Massachusetts, and if they determine the state has suffered at least six-and-half million dollars in storm-related damage, the governor can apply for disaster relief.

The mayor says Romney's response to flooding in western Massachusetts has been "too narrow."

Coast Guard Warns Boaters Of High Water

The Coast Guard is warning boaters and paddlers around New England to be careful because of swollen lakes, rivers, ponds, creeks and streams.

Many waterways are at flood stage, creating extra hazards for boaters and paddlers.

One of the people missing and presumed killed in last week's flooding in New Hampshire is a kayaker who was swept away in Antrim.

White House Backs Plan To Shut Energy Office In Boston

The Bush administration is backing a Senate plan to close the Boston office of the U-S Energy Department.

That worries advocates who say it may become more difficult for poor and elderly residents to get energy assistance grants.

The local energy office distributed tens of millions of dollars in grants last year and the agency recently paid to weatherize about 26-thousand homes in Massachusetts.

New Englanders would still be eligible to apply for federal grants, but under the Senate proposal, the Boston's office would be merged into a larger facility based in Morgantown, West Virginia.

That facility would serve the entire eastern portion of the United States.

VERMONT STATE NEWS

Vermonters In Flooded Areas Urged To Check Water

The Health Department is urging people in southern Vermont hit by flooding last week to have their drinking water tested.

The Health Department's Larry Crist says people drinking water from wells in flooded areas should assume their water was contaminated and get it tested.

Vermonters can get a free water test kit from their local health officer or regional Health Department office.

The regional office serving the towns of Pownal and Stamford is located on Veterans Memorial Drive in Bennington.

More information can be found on the web as well...log onto www.healthyvermonters.dot.info.

Man Wants New Trial In Law Centers Case

The New York man convicted of taking money from thousands of clients of his now defunct debt-reduction firm is asking for a new trial.

Andrew Capoccia of Guilderland, New York, is accusing federal government prosecutors of misconduct before and during his trial.

Capoccia was found guilty in April of 13 federal charges that he defrauded thousands of customers of $23 million in a debt reduction company.

Capoccia is free on bail. He faces prison terms of between five and 20 years on each count.

Capoccia founded the now-bankrupt Law Centers for Consumer Protection.

More than 2,700 former clients of the firm have filed claims totali Friday, July 01, 2005

Bike Helmut Credited For Preventing Serious Injury To Rider

Williamstown Police are crediting a bicycle helmet with preventing serious injury after a woman was knocked off her bike by a car earlier this week...

Tuesday morning, police say 46-year-old Donna Beattie[of Bingham Street was crossing the intersection of Mooreland Street and Cole Ave on her bike, then a car struck the rear wheel of the bike and knocked her down. Beattie was taken to the hospital by a friend, where she was treated for what police call minor injuries to her shoulder, elbow and ankle.

The driver, 57-year-old Robert Ware of [Mooreland Street,] Williamstown, was cited for failure to use care while starting from an intersection.

Williamstown Police remind all bikers and rollerbladers to wear the proper head gear.

Anyone with questions about helmet laws can call Sergeant Scott McGowan at 458-5733.

Thunderstorms Pound Western Massachusetts

Wednesday’s severe thunderstorms that rumbled through the Berkshires caused many people to lose electrical power.

At one point, over 16-thousand Western Mass Electric customers were without power Wednesday, but power has been restored to all. The noontime storm also caused extensive flooding on some Pittsfield streets.

Water was up to car doors on Merrill Road by the railroad tracks, causing some cars to stall.

No weather-related power outages reported in North County.

Williamstown Chamber Of Commerce Moving Into The Twenty-First Century

A Lenox company helping put members of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce into the twenty-first century.

Later this year, the chamber will offer a new benefit to its members through Lenox Softworks, which will help design and develop internet websites. Lenox Softworks is the same firm that designed williamstownchamber.com.

Chamber Executive Director Amber Braman says the company will develop a template for all to use, but she says each company’s web pages will not end up looking the same.

The Williamstown Chamber of Commerce has 175 members all across Northern Berkshire and Southern Vermont. The Chamber is launching the program with Lenox Softworks in September.

Teachers Endorse Contract

A new 3-year contract for some 350 teachers in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, including Pownal Elementary School, has been ratified by the teachers union.

The Bennington and Mount Anthony Union school boards have already ratified the deal...and superintendent Dr. Wesley Knapp says he expects the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, Pownal, North Bennington and Shaftsbury boards to follow suit tonight.

Teachers would get a retroactive pay raise of 3.17 percent for last year, then salaries would rise by 4.25 percent next year and by 4.4 percent the year after. Teachers' contributions toward health insurance would go from 10 to 15 percent by year three.

Knapp says both sides made concessions during negotiations, and says he believes both sides are pleased with the result.

Union ratification came Wednesday...an unnamed source tells the Bennington Banner the majority was overwhelming.

Lukkarila To Head local Republican Party

Republicans in the town of Adams being officially recognized once again, with Jay Lukkarila of Summer Street stepping forth as the local party chairman.

A group of residents filed paperwork this week to RE-form the organization under the Massachusetts Republican party...John and Barb Cowie will serve as secretary and treasurer, respectively

Lukkarila says fundraising will be a challenge, but the immediate goal is to get interested, motivated people to attend the group's meetings. He says in Adams and across Berkshire County, Republicans need to find people willing to run for office to provide voters with an alternative vision.

Lukkarila says his biggest concern policy-wise is taxes, calling the recent trend of rising property taxes a quote- "out-of-control freight train." Lukkarila is also on the board of directors for the Berkshire County Republican Association.

David Bond Finally Open “The Range”

Perseverance was the key says developer David Bond, who after 2-and-a-half years of wading through the state permitting process, finally looks ready to open "The Range" facility on Curran Highway in North Adams next weekend.

The driving range actually did open in summer 2003, but when state environmental officials discovered a rare, threatened plant species, The Range had to stay closed last summer. The land has about 1.4 million stems of the plant...Bond says he's waiting on one last permit to move 5 thousand of them elsewhere on site.

The golf driving range is now open, and Bond hopes to have batting cages and miniature golf open by the July 9th weekend.

The project approved by the city planning board also calls for future phases, including construction of a 4 to 6 thousand square foot, 2-story clubhouse as well as a nature trail.

Vermont State To Probe Suicide At Bennington Veterans' Home

The state is investigating the circumstances surrounding the suicide of a resident of the state-run Vermont Veterans' Home in Bennington.

The staff physician at the home says that the man - David Smith - had a history of suicide attempts elsewhere.

But he was not on a suicide watch at the time of his death and the president of the board of trustees had said that the home had no reason to believe that Smith was a possible suicide threat.

Police reports say Smith stabbed himself.

A spokesman for Governor Jim Douglas says the governor considers the sucide a tragedy and wants to review the results of the state investigation.

Small Tornado Touches Down In Great Barrington

A weak tornado touches down in Great Barrington today.

Meteorologist Hugh Johnson with the National Weather Service in Albany (New York) says it didn't cause any major damage, and only touched down for about a minute.

Tornadoes like the one that hit today are no stranger to the area.

Johnson says small ones swirl through the area a few times a year.

High Bail Set For Lanesboro Woman In Murder Case

Bail has been set for a Lanesboro woman accused of prodding her son to kill her husband.

Bail for 41-year-old Patricia Olsen was set by Pittsfield Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup Wednesday at 150-thousand dollars -- including a one and a-half million dollar surety bond. She is being held at the Berkshire County House of Correction.

Olsen allegedly coaxed her son into beating and shooting his stepfather, Neil Olsen. She pleaded innocent to the charge at her arraignment in February.

Neil Olsen was shot seven times in the head as he went into the barn to feed his horse on January Ninth.

Authorities say if released, Olsen will stay with friends in Savoy, but will be subject to electronic monitoring and effectively placed under house arrest.

Governor Signs Budget, But Strips About $110 Million

Governor Romney signed the state's 23-point-eight) billion dollar budget into law this morning, but vetoed about 110 million dollars in spending.

The governor also took a shot at lawmakers over their refusal to drop state income taxes from five-point-three to five percent, as voters mandated with a 2000 ballot referendum.

Romney cut 43 million dollars in state Medicaid funding for nursing homes.

He also slashed 15 million dollars that would reduced the portion of health care premiums paid by state employees.

A 75-dollar fee that sexual offenders would be required to pay when they registered with the state was also slashed. The governor says the provision might discourage some convicted offenders from registering.

It's likely the Democrat-controlled Legislature will override most of Romney's vetoes.

Mass. Governor Speaks To Connecticut Republicans

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney sounded like a candidate for president tonight, poking fun at his liberal state, and highlighting conservative stances.

Romney was the keynote speaker at the annual Prescott Bush awards dinner.

He has said he's considering a presidential run and has spent the past several months addressing Republican loyalists around the country.

The Republican governor portrayed national Democrats as obstructionists to President Bush's agenda.

Romney cited growing competition from China and said the United States must remain strong economically to maintain its military strength.

The Prescott Bush dinner is named for the president's grandfather, who was a U-S senator from Connecticut from 1952 to 1963. He died in 1972.

The dinner, attended by about 550 people, was expected to raise about 250-thousand dollars and is the party's largest fund-raiser of the year.

Big Dig Officials Choose Final Repair Plan For Faulty Tunnel Wall

After months of internal debate, Big Dig officials have chosen what they say is the best fix for a faulty wall panel that sent water pouring into the new Interstate 93 tunnel last September.

To complete the fix, workers will leave an existing patch in place, add more grouting, cover the patch with a steel plate, and encase the entire wall panel in concrete.

Officials say the goal is to create a permanent watertight repair that will last as long as the original walls.

Big Dig officials say the contractor responsible for building the wall panel will pay for the repair, estimated at between 300-thousand and 500-thousand dollars, and will be held financially responsible if there are future problems.

Federal overseers from the Department of Transportation signed off on the proposed fix, citing safety concerns associated with other proposed repairs. Wednesday, June 29, 2005

NA City Council Approves Fiscal 2006 Budget

Without controversy, objection, or debate - 8 members of the North Adams city Council approved a fiscal year 2006 operating budget totaling 33.3 million dollars.

Next year’s spending plan will raise residential and commercial property taxes between 2.5 and 3.25 percent, although exact tax rates won’t be set until the fall.

The Finance committee reviewed the Mayor’s proposed budget last week, and recommended adopting it as presented.

Council Vice-President Gail Cariddi praised the work of her fellow councilors, including finance committee chair Dick Alcombright.

The largest single item was 15.6 million for the school department. Other figures of note include 1.34 million dollars for the police department and 1.23 million to fully fund the city fire department, which was intentionally underfunded last year.

Council also took a brief moment at the start of the meeting to wish council president Mike Bloom well as he battles illness.

Wisconsin Woman Slightly Injured In Hit-and-run accident In North Adams

No arrests yet, but North Adams Police say they’ve identified the driver involved in a hit-and-run accident Tuesday that sent a motorcyclist from Wisconsin to the hospital.

Around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, police say a black Chevy Blazer turned from Union Street onto Cliff Street and struck a Harley Davidson tricycle, throwing the rider from the bike. 49-year-old Laurie Carnel of Wisconsin got immediate attention at the scene from an off-duty member of the North Adams Ambulance Squad...she was later treated and released from North Adams Regional Hospital for head injuries and road rash.

The driver of the Chevy Blazer fled the scene and North Adams Police immediately put out a “be on the lookout call” to County dispatch. Sergeant James Burdick says police know the identity of the driver, but cannot release the name at this time.

He says the investigation is continuing, and the driver could face criminal charges and other motor vehicle violations.

Domestic Violence Agency Upset Over Court Ruling

The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence was disappointed in a ruling this week by the U-S Supreme Court.

The High Court ruled police cannot be sued when restraining orders in domestic violence cases are not enforced properly. The case involved a Colorado woman, who claimed police didn’t do enough to enforce a restraining order against her ex-husband. The man ended up killing her three young daughters.

The Coalition’s Nancy Scannell says that case will hopefully send a message to law enforcement agencies, leading to better restraining order policies.

Scannell says she fears Monday’s ruling could leave victims with nowhere to go if they can’t get help from law enforcement.

Cheshire Prop 2 ½ Override Rejection Prompts New Budget Meeting For School Committee

The vice-chairman of the Adams-Cheshire Regional School Committee says it’s too early to say where cuts might be made after Monday’s failed proposition 2-and-a-half override vote.

Residents in Cheshire rejected a request for 275 thousand dollars over the levy limit for the regional school assessment.

The school committee now must craft a new spending plan for fiscal year 2006 to send back to town officials in Adams and Cheshire. However, any potential reduction in Cheshire’s assessment must be accompanied by one twice as large for Adams.

That’s one reason why vice-chairman Paul Butler says the committee will need to meet as soon as possible.

Butler says another difficulty in proposing budget cuts is that the Adams-Cheshire district is still trying to recover from a number of cuts made just two years ago.

New Williamstown Chamber President Focus On Cultural Identity

The newly-appointed president of the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce says he wants the Chamber to focus on creating a cultural identity for the entire Northern Berkshire region.

Paul Lovegreen was selected in late May by the board of directors to replace Jill Harris, who served as president for a year and a half. The Williamstown Chamber includes 175 member businesses from not only Williamstown, but also North Adams, Adams and Southern Vermont.

Lovegreen lives in Williamstown and owns businesses there and in North Adams.

The Chamber has recently put out a C-D called “The Northern Berkshires Video Tour,” which contains photos of scenic and cultural attractions from around the region. Executive Director Amber Braman says the C-D is intended for tourists and also for businesses or trade groups considering relocating to this area.

Pittsfield City Council Approves 2006 Budge

Pittsfield City Council has approved Mayor James Ruberto’s 110-million dollar fiscal year 2006 budget.

Tuesday’s vote was 7-4 for a budget that made it through previous City Council budget reviews with only 90-thousand dollars cut from the budget. Along with the budget comes a 4.25-percent increase in property taxes and a 4.27-percent increase in the commercial tax rate.

Mayor Ruberto previously told the Berkshire News Network that these figures for tax hikes are not written in stone because any tax hike is generally put into effect in December. Therefore, he says the amount of the tax increase may not be that high.

Colonial Theatre Announces New Board Of Directors

The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield has announced a new slate of officers for their board of directors...Gary Scarafoni is the new President, Michael MacDonald is Vice President, and Robert Becker is Treasurer. Sharon Harrison continues her term as Clerk.

Scarafoni, who had been serving as V-P, has been elected President to complete the term of his predecessor Howell Palmer who resigned suddenly, after it was learned he was in a personal relationship with executive director Susan Sperber.

Scarafoni has been a Colonial Theatre Board Member since September 2001. MacDonald, the new Vice-President has been on the board the same amount of time.

The Colonial Theatre is currently in the construction phase of an historic restoration with an expected opening in 2006.

Scibelli Rejected; Search Continues For An Interim President

The search continues for an interim president for Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

The state Board of Higher Education yesterday refused to approve the school's choice of Andrew Scibelli, concerned that Scibelli technically would have been working as an employee of a consulting company, the Registry of College and University Presidents. And B-C-C could not negotiate directly with Scibelli, because the state places restrictions on employing retirees.

The Board of Higher Education must approve the hiring of any community college president.

B-C-C trustees say the school needs an interim president at the helm for the coming academic year, which begins in September.

Court Passes On Question Of Whether Romney Can Fire Amorello

The state's highest court will not take up the question of whether Governor Romney has the authority to fire Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chairman Matt Amorello.

The Supreme Judicial Court says the question doesn't rise to the level needed to warrant an answer.

Romney was seeking an advisory opinion on whether he could demote Amorello, who has long feuded with the governor over the Big Dig.

The Turnpike Authority is largely outside of the governor's control.

But the court says Romney's request for an advisory opinion doesn't meet the constitutional threshold needed for the court to respond because it doesn't address an urgent decision facing the governor.

Romney issued a statement saying he was disappointed with the decision. He says the ruling leaves him without guidance as to how he could install new leadership at the Turnpike Authority.

Umass Scales Back Dorm Project

The University of Massachusetts is cutting back on plans to build new dormitories at its flagship campus in Amherst.

Instead of building enough student housing for 15-hundred beds like the university had planned, the campus will be getting 864 beds.

U-Mass officials say high construction prices are forcing them to scale back.

The new beds will be located in four five-story apartment-style buildings.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Romney Appoints Wife Administration's Chief Liaison Religious Organizations

Governor Romney has appointed his wife to serve as the administration's chief liaison to religious and faith-based social service organizations.

One of Ann Romney's top tasks will to help social service groups apply for federal funds.

Faith-based social service organizations in Massachusetts were awarded just 21 million dollars of the two billion dollars in federal funds aimed at such groups last year.

Ann Romney says the application process can be daunting, especially for groups more focused on serving the poor.

Russian President Pockets Patriots Owner's Super Bowl Ring

Was it a big misunderstanding or a ridiculously generous gift?

That's the question for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who may have lost a priceless keepsake when he handed his Super Bowl ring to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Russian news reports say Kraft showed his diamond-encrusted 2005 Super Bowl ring to Putin at a meeting of American business executives in Russia.

After trying on the ring, Putin reportedly pocketed it and left the meeting.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Kraft intended for Putin to keep the ring.

But a Krelim official who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of compromising his position told the A-P the ring was a present.

The official says Putin had given the ring to the Kremlin library where other foreign gifts are kept.

Store Owner Loses Lottery License After Ticket Flap

A North Andover convenience store owner has lost his Lottery license.

Patrick Simboli pleaded guilty earlier this week to charges he stole and cashed a customer's 32-thousand dollar winning ticket.

A spokesman for the state Lottery commission tells the Eagle Tribune of Lawrence that Simboli will never again be eligible to sell tickets.

As part of his guilty plea, Simboli was sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the victim.

Prosecutors say Simboli told a customer that she'd won two dollars on a "Cash Winfall" ticket purchased at the North Andover Richdale store on May ninth.

The ticket was actually worth more than 32-thousand dollars.

Bush Rejects Iraq Timetable In National Speech

President Bush used a prime-time speech last night to reject calls for a timetable for U-S withdrawal from Iraq.

While acknowledging the T-V images have been "horrifying", the president maintained that making plans now to pull out of Iraq would only embolden the terrorists.

In a speech to troops at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, broadcast nationwide, Bush said it's important to stay until Iraqis can defend themselves.

Senator John Kerry criticized the speech, saying the U-S still has no "realistic strategy" to reduce risks to soldiers.

Senator Edward Kennedy says soldiers in Iraq need more than assurances of progress from the president.

Before the speech, Bush met for three hours with families of Fort Bragg soldiers killed in Iraq, and as he delivered it, he wore a bracelet one of the widows gave him inscribed with her husband's name.

Troy N.Y. Mayor Rejects Help From Guardian Angels

The mayor of Troy an upstate city is saying "no thanks" to the Guardian Angels.

Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian says his city doesn't need the group's street patrols because the community's violent crime rate is down.

The mayor met yesterday with Guardian Angel founder Curtis Sliwa and led him on a stroll around the city's streets. Sliwa had offered to train and outfit a branch of his organization to patrol streets on foot at night, as is currently being done in nearby Albany and Schenectady.

Sliwa called the meeting a preliminary gathering to lay the groundwork for a possible future collaboration in Troy.

Vermont State Officials Warn About Ozone Levels

State officials are not only warning Vermonters about the heat but also about the bad air.

When it's hot, the level of ozone in the air often rises.

That could affect people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children.

Temperatures reached 90 Tuesday and 93 on Monday in Burlington.

Temperatures are expected to be a little cooler for the rest of the week ranging in the 80s.

Lawyer Says FCC Seizure Of Brattleboro Vt. Radio Station Illegal

A lawyer for the unlicensed radio free brattleboro says the Federal Communications Commission's shut down the station illegally last week.

Brattleboro attorney James Maxwell wants the F-C-C to return the station's broadcast equipment.

He also wants the government to guarantee that it will not raid the station again until a pending court case is resolved.

The F-C-C has been trying to shut down radio free brattleboro since it was reported in 2003 that the station's signal interfered with the signal of a Massachusetts public radio station.

Last week's raid was the second time in two years the 10-watt community radio station has been shut down by the F-C-C.

Hot Weather Ripens Strawberries In Vermont

If you want strawberries this summer, don't blink. The strawberry season is flashing by. The heat wave has hastened the growing season, causing berries to ripen overnight.

Norma Norris of the Norris Berry Farm in Monkton says it is going to be a short season.

The Vermont growers are hopeful the slightly cooler weather in the coming days will entice more pickers. A lack of customers could be devastating to some businesses.

Merrill Legare of the Legare's Farm in Calais said he stands to lose 50-thousand dollars in business because it has just been too hot to pick.

David Zuckerman knows there are between 400 and 600 berries to pick every day in his acre of strawberry fields in Burlington.

Tuesday he offered customers a deal: buy two pints, quarts or flats and get one free.