LOCAL/REGIONAL NEWS

AP Top News at 6:59 a.m. EST

al-Qaida in Iraq Threaten Diplomats
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Sunni-led insurgents killed six Iraqi police at a checkpoint Friday and fired a mortar round that struck a home outside the capital, killing a child, as Shiites began celebrating a major Muslim holiday. Al-Qaida in Iraq threatened more attacks on diplomats here. Also Friday, the U.S. military said it had killed five senior al-Qaida in Iraq figures during an airstrike last Saturday in Husaybah near the Syrian border. The five, including at least one North African, were responsible for bombings against U.S. and Iraqi forces, the announcement said.

Bush to Push for Trade in the Americas
MAR DEL PLATA, Argentina (AP) - President Bush will make his call for liberalized trade and increased entrepreneurship in Argentina, a country that adopted such reforms in the 1990s and saw its economy collapse. Supporters of free trade say those policies aren't to blame for the financial crisis and resulting bloody riots four years ago. Instead, they point to other mistakes, chief among them government corruption and Argentina's heavy borrowing.

More Arson Attacks in Paris Suburbs
LE BLANC MESNIL, France (AP) - A wave of arson attacks in Paris' restive suburbs punctured what authorities said Friday was otherwise the first night of relative calm after a week of clashes between riot police and angry youths. Officials said at least 400 cars were torched in the Paris region, an increase from previous nights. But there were fewer direct clashes with riot police who were deployed in force across the suburbs north of Paris following Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's vow to restore order.

Alito Confirmation Hearing to Begin Jan. 9
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush wanted a new Supreme Court justice for Christmas, but the Senate says: Wait 'til next year. Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito will get his Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 9, and move toward a final confirmation vote on Jan. 20. The schedule is a setback for the White House, which wanted a pre-Christmas confirmation for the conservative judge.

Verdict May Lighten Merck's Case Load
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - Merck & Co.'s victory in the nation's second Vioxx trial may lighten the company's litigation load as plaintiff lawyers shun weaker cases, but the legal saga over the withdrawn painkiller is far from over. Still, the win is a crucial boost for Merck, which demonstrated a refinement of its defense strategy after a humiliating defeat in a Texas trial over the summer and convinced a jury it acted responsibly in promoting Vioxx, experts said.

Budget-Cutting Action Moving to House
WASHINGTON (AP) - A battle over cuts to popular federal programs like Medicaid and food stamps promises to intensify next week in the House despite relatively smooth sailing in the Senate. A measure the Senate passed Thursday calls for mild cuts in the health care programs for the elderly, poor and disabled, while leaving the food stamp program untouched.

Bush Public Support at Lowest Level Yet
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's public support has eroded to its lowest level yet, with the Iraq war dragging on, a top White House aide facing felony charges and the White House rushing to replace a failed Supreme Court nominee. Concerned that the president has lost his footing, some Republicans have suggested Bush should shake up his staff.

States Have Own Plans for Bird Flu
WASHINGTON (AP) - States have their own ideas for dealing with an outbreak of bird flu or other super-flu strain - readying possible quarantine sites and talking about closing schools and businesses. State officials may tell hospitals they may have to evict all but the most critically ill. Several states will ask residents to stay home and take a "snow day" if a pandemic strikes.

Rocker Juanes Wins 3 Latin Grammy Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Colombian rocker Juanes won three awards and Spanish crooner Alejandro Sanz won two at Thursday's revamped Latin Grammys, which were broadcast in Spanish for the first time and showcased an expanding range of genres. Juanes, a Latin Grammys favorite who dominated the awards in 2003 with five trophies and had nine coming into Thursday's show, collected honors for best rock song, "Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor," best music video for "Volverte a Ver," and best rock solo vocal for "Mi Sangre."

Heat Lose to Pacers; Shaq Sprains Ankle
MIAMI (AP) - The Miami Heat entered this season believing they have the NBA's best frontcourt depth. That theory is about to be tested. Shaquille O'Neal sprained his right ankle in the Heat's 105-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, and the team doesn't expect to have the services of their 12-time All-Star center for at least a few days. It's unknown if he'll even travel with the Heat to Milwaukee for their game on Saturday. Thursday, October 27, 2005

Clarksburg Residents Voice Concerns About Nude Dancing At Mountain View

The Clarksburg Board of Selectmen asking Michael Milazzo and his attorney to return next month with more detailed plans for the Mountain View Restaurant, should nude entertainment be approved.

Attorney Daniel Kelly told the board and about 100 others in attendance at Clarksburg Town Hall Milazzo is seeking permission for nude entertainment 7 days a week, although he would be willing to entertain discussion on certain time limitations. He says extra police would be hired as a condition of the permit, all dancers would be 21 or older and outside agencies would book the talent, so private parties would not be able to bring in their own dancers

Residents raised concerns over current conditions relating to noise, traffic and crime at the Mountain View...alleging that those conditions would only worsen with nude entertainment.

The public hearing will continue Wednesday, November 16th. Assuming the hearing is closed at that time, the selectmen will then have 30 days to make a decision on Milazzo's application A former Massachusetts Governor in town Thursday to speak at the Mass College of Liberal Arts...first to the students, then to the general public.

War Protest held At Veterans Memorial In North Adams

A silent vigil held in North Adams Wednesday to honor the 2 thousand U-S military deaths in the Iraq war...but some local veterans objected to where the vigil was held.

Richard Dassotti of North Adams says he held the vigil at the Veterans Memorial at Eagle and Union Streets because it's a central artery along route 2 and is highly visible.

Dassotti says he agrees that the memorial is quote- "hallowed ground," adding that those whose names are on the honor roll served their country, fighting for the right of others to protest.

John Taft of North Adams told Dassotti that legally, he has a right to hold a vigil there. However, Taft says there could have been a better location, since he views the Veterans Memorial not as a place for politics, but a place to honor those who served.

Similar events took place across the country yesterday, including one at Field Park in Williamstown.

18 Year Old Sentenced For Cheshire Break-Ins

An 18-year-old Pittsfield man gets one year on probation and will have to pay over 96 hundred dollars in restitution after being found guilty of three break-ins in the town of Cheshire.

Victims in the March 30th spree were the Cheshire Rod and Gun Club and two homeowners in town, each of who had items stolen and others damaged. 18-year-old Evan Gosselin of Pittsfield pleaded guilty in district court to three counts each of breaking and entering, larceny and malicious destruction of property.

Judge Michael Ripps ordered him to pay restitution within 30 days.

Another person has been charged in connection with the break-ins -- 18-year-old Daniel Sheerin of Pittsfield -- but that case is still pending.

Adams Man Draws Jail Sentence On Burglary Conviction

An Adams man going to jail for stealing and then re-selling an estimated 4 thousand dollars in video games and electronics.

A burglary occurred at an Adams residence on July 17th, and after an investigation, Adams Police arrested 34-year-old Ronnie Hamner. Officers say he and others were responsible for stealing video game units including X-Box, Game Cube, PlayStation2, several game cartridges, also some rare coins and compact discs. The group then sold the various items at two local businesses for cash.

Hamner's record of convictions one factor in Northern Berkshire District Court Judge Michael Ripps's decision to send him to jail for one year, minus 97 days for time already served. Hamner was found guilty of breaking and entering in the daytime, larceny from a building and 2 counts of receiving stolen property.

Adams Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck By Car

No charges have been filed, but the investigation continues into a Tuesday morning accident that claimed the life of an Adams woman after she was struck by a car on Commercial Street.

The accident occurred around 7:20 a.m.Tuesday. According to the report, 47-year-old Donna Murphy of Commercial Street was attempting to cross at the Pearl Street intersection, then she was struck by a car driven by 46-year-old Michael Mikutowicz of Adams.

Adams Police and Adams Ambulance responded to the accident scene, but shortly thereafter, a medical examiner arrived and Murphy was pronounced dead. The investigation being led by Adams Police, with help from state police accident reconstructionists.

Two pedestrians in North Adams were also struck by motor vehicles and injured last night. The first incident occurred just after 7:00 on Ashland Street, the second one less than an hour later near Union and Eagle Streets. The identity of the victims is unavailable...at least one was taken to Berkshire Medical Center.

Mount Greylock Educators Association Rejects Contract

"The members have spoken" says Mount Greylock Educators Association President Rose Marie Pelletier, after teachers at Mount Greylock High rejected the latest contract offer 52-3!

Pelletier declined to discuss specifics, but says members took issue with the compensation package and proposed educational changes in the offer on the table from the school committee.

The offer contains a zero percent raise for LAST year, but has raises of 3.5 percent for this year and next year.

Petricca says he's disappointed with the union vote, saying he believed both sides were making progress on salary and health insurance.

The M-G-E-A has been working under an expired contract since July 1st, 2004. In June 2005, members authorized a limited job action -- although not a full-fledged work-to-rule -- but promised that as time went on without a ratified contract, the job action would escalate.

No word yet on what that might entail.

186 State Dams Undergo Emergency Inspection

An emergency inspection of 186 of the state's most critical dams discovered 8 in need of immediate attention, including a dam at the Mount Williams Reservoir in North Adams. In some cases, logs and other debris were cleared from spillways to allow water to properly flow through the dams. At other sites, minor repairs had to be made as the state prepares for more wet weather.

State conservation commissioner Stephen Burrington says he's confident all the state's dams are now strong enough to withstand the coming rains. The emergency inspections were ordered last week after a Taunton dam threatened to give way.

Other dams that needed attention were located in Dalton, Northampton and Chicopee.

Oxton Murder Trial Could Begin In February

A Readsboro, Vermont man accused of shooting and killing 19-year-old Thomas Oxton, Junior could go on trial by early February.

That according to the Bennington Banner, which reports that Bennington District Court Judge David Suntag has set the final pre-trial hearing for January 25th in the case against 69-year-old Peter Kulzer, Senior. Kulzer has pleaded not guilty to a 2nd degree murder charge. Vermont State Police say Oxton was shot to death in Kulzer's driveway following an argument Kulzer had with his son, Peter Kulzer Junior

The elder Kulzer also faces charges of aggravated domestic assault and reckless endangerment in connection with the March 13th incident.

MEMA Gives Advice For Flooding Victims

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency says residents should be sure to clean anything that comes into contact with flood waters, which often bring contamination.

MEMA spokesman Peter Judge says sometimes, the contamination brought by floodwaters can be worse than the flood damage itself.

Especially in areas where flooding occurred in recent weeks, Judge says residents with sump pumps should try and pump water out of their basement as it begins to flood...in other words, stay ahead of the flooding.

As always, Judge says people should never walk nor drive through heavily flooded areas...also listen to and obey any orders from local officials to evacuate if and when they're given.

Area police remind drivers to slow down and give yourself extra stopping distance, especially as temperatures fall overnight, there may be some icy conditions on area roadways.

Williamstown Completes Town's Triennial Property Revaluation

Assessors in Williamstown have completed the town's triennial property revaluation, and the figure going to the state for approval is 21 percent higher than last year.

In summer 2004, Williamstown did an interim adjustment of its total property value, which came in at 773 million dollars. The preliminary figure now going to the state department of revenue pegs total property values around 938 million.

That according to town finance director Chuck St. John, who says D-O-R will review the data and could possibly certify the revaluation in the next week or so. The fiscal year 2006 tax rate should be set shortly thereafter, and St. Joyn says tax bills in Williamstown should go out by the middle of next month.

He notes, however, that even with a double-digit assessed value increase, the annual budget approved by town meeting does not change...so the tax RATE should drop a bit, and the town-wide tax levy would remain the same.

Slight Increase In Jobless Figures In Massachusetts

Seasonally unadjusted jobless figures in Massachusetts are up over the past month, but are still down over the past year...

Same in North Adams and Pittsfield, where the state division of unemployment assistance reports an uptick in jobless claims from August to September of 2005. In North Adams, D-U-A figures show an increase from 4 to 4.6 percent unemployment month-to-month but joblessness is down one tenth of a percent from the prior year

In Pittsfield, unemployment came in at 3.8 percent in September, up from 3.4 percent in August.

Both North Adams and Pittsfield showed lower unemployment percentages than the statewide figures for September 2005.

North Adams Man Charged With OUI

A North Adams man being charged with operating under the influence of drugs following an accident on State Street Monday night.

North Adams Police received reports just after 6:30 p.m. Monday that a car had struck a curb and was up on the sidewalk with a flat tire just north of Doran's Carpet Center. Officers responded and took 21-year-old Daniel Cirullo of Furnace Street to police headquarters, where he was booked on the O-U-I charge.

He was released, pending arraignment in Northern Berkshire District Court.

120 Thousand Workers In Massachusetts Lose Employer-Based Health Insurance

A new report finds that since 2001, about 120 thousand workers in Massachusetts have lost employer-based health insurance.

The report from the Economic Policy Institute also indicates Bay State workers are losing health insurance at the third-fastest rate in the nation.

Several different health care proposals have surfaced on Beacon Hill in recent months. Brian Rosman from the non-profit advocacy group Health Care For All says the report sheds light on the type of reform Massachusetts needs.

Last week, House Speaker Sal DiMasi announced his support for a bill also backed by Governor Romney that would require many of the state's uninsured to get some kind of health care coverage.

A coalition of health reform advocates known as MassAct is collecting signatures for a ballot initiative aimed at reforming the health care system if lawmakers don't finish the job. Sunday, October 23, 2005

Electrical Fire Damages Kemp Avenue Home

One firefighter suffered a minor injury and two cats perished in a fire at 215 Kemp Avenue in North Adams Friday night.

Lieutenant Joseph Beverly of the North Adams Fire Department says the homeowner returned just before 9 p.m. and reported the blaze, which took about 15 minutes to put out once firefighters arrived. Beverly says smoke and fire damage was limited to one room, but the home is uninhabitable for now, and the owner is staying with family.

Investigators were on the scene for several hours after the fire was extinguished. Beverly says the preliminary investigation shows the cause of the fire was electrical in nature.

North Adams Warrant Sweep Nets Four Suspected Drug Dealers

A warrant sweep in North Adams lands four adults in court to face drug distribution charges.

30-year-old Aaron Gregoire of North Adams and 40-year-old Gail Massari of Williamstown both accused of selling drugs to an undercover officer at Ace's Bar on Union Street earlier this year.

Gregoire allegedly sold one gram of marijuana, Massari is accused of selling cocaine on two occasions.

Both were arraigned on drug distribution charges and drug-free school zone violations, since Ace's is within a thousand feet of Conte Middle School.

Another alleged drug sale took place in the Cumberland Farms parking lot on Ashland Street back in August...that location also within a thousand feet of Conte Middle School. That alleged sale led to charges being filed against 24-year-old Valerie Holland and 23-year-old Erica Rock, both of North Adams.

All four were released on personal recognizance by district court judge Michael Ripps. If convicted on the drug-free school zone violations, each would face a MINIMUM of two years in jail.

North Adams Man Crashes Into Parked Van

A North Adams man was treated and released from the hospital early Saturday after authorities say he drove his vehicle into a parked van on Massachusetts Ave.

The crash was reported just before 3 a.m. 20-year-old Kirtis Reynolds of Mohawk Trail, North Adams was taken to the hospital, and authorities say both his vehicle and the parked van were totaled in the accident.

Reynolds' vehicle was registered to Atlantis Equipment Corporation of Stephentown, New York...the other one was an electrical contracting van registered to David Witherell of Mass Ave, North Adams.

Family And Friends Mourn Death Of 19 Year-Old Lee High School Grad

Joe Laflamme graduated high school in June, now his family and friend are mourning his death four months later.

The 19-year-old Lee High School alum was killed Thursday night on the Berkshire Spur of I-90 just east of Albany. He and another passenger died as a result of a rollover crash.

Joe's pirncipal last year and now Lee School Superintendent Jake McCandless says the young man was very popular in school and a hard worker in the classroom and on the football field.

McCandless says Joe LaFlamme was returning home from Maryland Bible College and Seminary. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday morning at the Greater Grace Church in Lee.

Adams Police Continue Investigation Into Vandalism At Renfrew Field

Adams Police are investigating an incident from last weekend in which a rock was thrown through two glass backboards at the Renfrew Field basketball courts, which have been closed ever since

Police say reports of the vandalism came in the early morning hours last Sunday. Town Administrator Bill Ketcham says the basketball courts are now locked up, but the children's area at Renfrew Field remains open.

The cost estimate to replace the two glass backboards is around 2 thousand dollars combined, but Ketcham says another possibility is to put in metal backboards, which would run between 350 and 400 dollars apiece. In the meantime, anyone with information on last weekend's incident at Renfrew Field is asked to call Adams Police at 743-1212.

State’s High School Dropout Rate Increases To 3.7

State Education Commissioner David Driscoll wants to know why more Massachusetts high school students are dropping out.

New figures show the state's dropout rate increased to 3.7 percent during the 2003-2004 school year. That was up from 3.3 percent in the previous year, but it's still below the national rate of five percent.

About ten-thousand, 600 students dropped out of high school in Massachusetts in 03-04.

The rate was higher among African-Americans, Hispanics and among special education students.

Driscoll is asking school superintendents for analyses of why students are dropping out in their districts, and report the findings to the Department of Education.

K-Mart Building Owner Plan Interior Demolition Work

The owners of the former K-Mart building in North Adams are planning some interior demolition work, and have received permission from the city to proceed.

First Hartford Realty Corporation President Neil Ellis says the company will demolish the old mezzanine level toward the back of the building, but says no timetable has been set yet.

The Berkshire News Network asked Ellis when First Hartford will submit plans to the North Adams Redevelopment Authority concerning a project at the old K-Mart and the L-Shaped mall on American Legion Drive, but he says no timetable has been set for that, either.

North Adams Mayor John Barrett confirms that he and Ellis met face-to-face in the Mayor's office recently to discuss the future of the property.

Barrett says Ellis initiated the meeting, which the Mayor describes as cordial and fruitful.

Flu Vaccine Clinics Begin Thursday In Williamstown

The V-N-A and Hospice of Northern Berkshire has announced a series of flu vaccine clinics starting next week.

The first one is being held next Thursday, October 27th at the Spruces Mobile Home Park in Williamstown. Next Friday, the 28th there'll be a flu vaccine clinic at the Ashland Street Apartments in North Adams. The following Monday, October 31st, flu vaccines will be distributed at the V-N-A office on Curran Highway

An annual flu shot is recommended for anyone over age 65 or for those with chronic illnesses. The aforementioned clinics will be open to anyone age 18 or older.

The V-N-A does not charge for flu shots, but donations are accepted to offset their costs in administering the clinics. For more information, call the V-N-A and Hospice of Northern Berkshire at 664-4536.

Rain And Flooding Damage Massachusetts Farms

Rains and flooding over the last two weekend certainly damaged roads, but they also damaged farms throughout Massachusetts.

Although most farmers had finished harvesting their crops, the downpours washed away valuable topsoil. Albert Hager of Colrain says he lost a good two-inches of topsoil from about half of his 22-acre corn field.

John Devine of the Farm Service Agency in Franklin County says few farms have any erosion control. And while farmers can get insurance for crop losses, they can't insure topsoil. He says many farmers will have to buy loads of topsoil in the spring when they repair damage to their fields. Thursday, August 11, 2005

Lower Unemployment Reported In All Mass Labor Markets

All 22 Massachusetts Labor Market areas showed lower unemployment rates in august 2005 compared to a year ago.

The state wide seasonally adjusted rate of 4.1 percent is down 8 tenths of a percent from the 4.9 of last August.

The staate-wide trend showed up in North Berkshire, where thre August 2005 rate came in at 4.0 percent compared to 4.9 last year.

There were fewer people in the labor force than at this time last year as the number dropped from 17 thousand 512 to 17 thousand 247.

United Veterans Of America Mark One Full Year

United Veterans of America marking one full year of serving the needs of homeless vets in Berkshire County this week.

It's been one year since U-V-A opened the Berkshire Veterans Residence in Pittsfield, providing 60 transitional beds for homeless vets.

This Thursday, 10 a.m. at the U-V-A offices, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield will be one of several guest speakers on hand to mark the occasion.

Executive Director John Downing says over the next year, UVA hopes to create 60-100 housing units for vets who are homeless, suffer from drug and alcohol addiction or chronic mental illness. He says the project will be the first of its kind in the country.

An architect is already on board for the multi-million dollar apartment project, one million in federal funding is in hand...Downing says raising the rest will be the biggest challenge.

Joint Law Enforcement Investigations Lead To Many Arrests

Joint law enforcement investigations led by Adams Police result in a slew of arrests and charges announced

It all started with a June 10th burglary at the Adams Diner on Park Street...as police began investigating, the pieces were put together on several other recent break-ins and robberies in town.

In the end, 49-year-old Judith Luczynski and 36-year-old Bruce Bissaillon of Adams were arrested in connection with that incident, another June 10th break-in at C-J's Pub along with a pair of break-ins at the Lakeside Restaurant in Cheshire in 2004.

Adams Police Chief Don Poirot says the Berkshire County Drug Task Force and State Police assisted A-P-D, crediting detective Lawrence Ordyna with the lion's share of the work.

Other people face charges in connection with July break-ins at Weber Street and Lower Linden Street residences -- and a burglary at Oasis Liquor Store on Spring Street.

NH Company Accuses Of Trying To Scam Homeowners

Adams Police have identified a New Hampshire-based company as the one that tried to scam an elderly woman in town recently, and also attempted scams in North Adams, Williamstown and Savoy.

The company's name is Pro Paving, based in Salem, New Hampshire. Back on August 19th, an Adams woman reported to police that the company offered her what appeared to be a good deal on paving her driveway, then attempted to collect 7 thousand dollars for what turned out to be a 25 hundred dollar job.

A summons has been issued for 20-year-old George Stanley, Junior of New Hampshire to appear in district court on one count of attempted larceny over 250 dollars by false pretenses.

Adams Man Charged With Ramming Truck Into Gas Station

Adams Police are charging an Adams man with ramming a truck into a gas station on Commercial Street early Sunday morning. 17-year-old Joshua Martin was arrested last night on charges of breaking and entering, larceny, destruction of property and larceny of a motor vehicle.

He's being arraigned today in Northern Berkshire District Court.

Florida Expects To hire Revaluation Company

Voters in the town of Florida being asked to approve spending 15 thousand 500 dollars out of overlay surplus to help complete the town's first residential revaluation in ten years.

Town assessors began the revaluation earlier this summer, but drive-by reviews found field records didn't reflect recent changes made to a number of properties.

The town is now seeking to hire Patriot Properties out of Lynn, Massachusetts to help assessors with the field reviews and updating the town's computer database.

A New Hampshire firm is revaluating three hydroelectric power plants within the town. That report is due September 30th.

The special town meeting starts 7 p.m. this Friday at the Florida Senior Center on Route 2.

House Lawmakers Set To Funnel $691 Million Into State Savings Account

House lawmakers want to save a little for a rainy day -- about 691 million dollars to be exact.

A new spending plan set for a vote would stash the money -- surplus from the fiscal year that ended June 30th -- in the state's savings account.

Democratic House leaders say the move is fiscally sound.

They say the state was spared from more drastic cuts during the recent economic slump because it had saved more then two billion dollars in the rainy day account during the 1990s.

But Republicans, including Governor Romney, say some of the money should be used to lower the state income tax rate from five-point-three percent down to five percent.

State Weighs Options As Charter School Refuses To Close

A defiant Boston charter school remains open this week, despite a unanimous vote last week by the state board of Education to shut it down.

The state's education commissioner is now consulting with the attorney general to see what can be done to force the financially-troubled Roxbury Charter High Public School to close its doors.

The school, meanwhile, says it will seek a court order allowing it to stay open.

Former state Senator Bill Owens is chairman of the school's board of trustees. He tells The Boston Globe that parents want their children at the school.

As for the Board of Education vote, Owens asked: "What are they going to do about it?"

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Education says the students are officially considered truant because they're not in an approved charter school.

Churches Asked To Back Signature Drive Against Same-Sex Marriage

It's being called "Protect Marriage Sunday."

Church-goers of several denominations will be asked on October second to sign petitions for a ballot initiative seeking to ban same-sex marriage.

The Boston Globe reports that the four Catholic bishops in Massachusetts plan to send letters urging parishioners to back the signature drive.

A number of Protestant churches also plan to take part.

Sponsors need to gather at least 66-thousand signatures by the end of November to advance the initiative. They hope to put the proposed gay marriage ban before voters in 2008.

But not all religious groups are behind the effort. The Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry represents about 600 clergy from 21 denominations and is urging worshippers to oppose the ballot initiative.

Former Music Teacher On Trial For Alleged Raped Of 14-Year-Old Boy

A jury is being picked in Middlesex Superior Court to hear the child rape trial of a former private school music teacher.

Ellen Garfield of Lynn is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy in 1998. The alleged victim did not report the abuse to his parents until four years later.

Prosecutors say Garfield was the music director at the Solomon Schecter School in Newton. The boy was not a student at the school but did know the defendant.

Garfield is also accused of providing the boy with marijuana.

Federated To Begin Cutting Up To 6,200 Jobs Next Year

Federated Department Stores says it will begin cutting up to 62-hundred jobs next year, including some in Boston.

Federated completed its nearly 12 billion dollar takeover of May Department Stores last month.

About 17-hundrd jobs will be eliminated at May's corporate offices in St. Louis. In addition to those cuts, the company says about 45-hundred positions will be eliminated beginning next March at May's divisional operations in Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and Arlington, Virginia.

Federated previously announced that it would retire several department store names after the merger, including Filene's.

Glaxosmithkline Pays $150 Million To Settle Drug Price Probe

GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to pay more than 150 million dollars to settle fraud allegations over the pricing and marketing of two drugs which treat nausea in cancer patients.

The investigation was conducted by the several federal agencies, including the U-S Attorney's office in Boston.

The pharmaceutical maker was accused of engaging in a scheme to inflate the price of Zofran and Kytril for the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, which reimburse health care providers based on the manufacturers' prices.

GlaxoSmithKline allegedly charged health care providers less for the drugs, knowing that the providers would get to pocket the difference.

The company admitted no wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Former Hamelin Owner Pleads Guilty To Stealing Customer Deposits

The former owner of now-closed Hamelin Furniture has pleaded guilty to stealing deposits on furniture from 27 customers.

A Hampshire Superior Court judge sentenced William Hamelin of Holyoke to three years of probation. Hamelin was also ordered to pay 12-thousand dollars in restitution to eleven customers who were not compensated during earlier bankrupty proceedings.

Prosecutors said Hamelin -- or his employees -- accepted deposits from customers between November 2001 and June 2002 while knowing the orders would not be fulfilled.

City Promotion Has Founding Fathers Sporting Fancy Footwear

Benjamin Franklin has roller skates. Samuel Adams, a pair of hip new running shoes. As for stodgy old George Washington, he's sporting purple velvet boots.

What's up with the Founding Fathers footwear?

That's what people in Boston have been asking the past few days after some of the city's most venerable statues began sporting a new look.

Turns out it wasn't a prank, as some first suspected, but an idea Mayor Tom Menino had to promote the idea that people should use their feet more and their cars less.

The so-called "Sneakers on Statues" campaign is part of a 50-thousand dollar effort to showcase Boston's "walkability" to tourists. Menino says it's especially timely when you consider the price of gas these days.

VERMONT STATE NEWS

Vermont National Guardsman from New York killed in Iraq

A Vermont Army National Guard member from New York state has been killed in Iraq.

The National Guard says that 27-year-old First Lieutenant Mark H-Dooley of Wallkill, New York, was killed yesterday morning by an improvised bomb.

The National Guard says Dooley was on a routine patrol mission in Ramadi, Iraq, at the time of the explosion.

Dooley was a member of the Third Battalion, 172nd Mountain Infantry.

He was a 2002 graduate of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.

The death brings to 17 the number of American military service members with ties to Vermont who have died in Iraq since the war began. An 18th Vermonter died of natural causes in Kuwait while training to go to Iraq.

Embattled Brattleboro TV Station Prepares For Annual Meeting

Officials say they are hopeful that some of the lingering problems that have afflicted Brattleboro Community Television may begin to be resolved after this week's annual meeting.

The board has agreed that everyone who applied for membership in roughly the past month will be eligible to vote at the meeting.

That's despite charges by some that a membership list may have been tampered with.

The membership list has been one source of contention among many this summer related to the community station and its leadership.

There will be voting to fill five of the nine board seats at the meeting.

Those directors will replace those who have resigned.

Strike Threatens Colchester Schools Over Salary Disagreement

Colchester (Vermont) teachers might walk off their jobs this fall.

That's because the teachers' union and the school board have been unable to reach a contract agreement.

The dispute primarily is focused on teachers' salaries.

The school board proposed a two-and-a-hyalf percent teacher pay increase for the next year.

Teachers want a five-point-eight percent increase in each of the next three years.

Federal mediator Ira Lobel suggested yearly pay increases over three years of between four-and-a-half percent and four-point-eight percent.

No new contract talks have been scheduled. The contract expired June 30th.

Rutland Treasurer Says He Has Plan To Fix Billing Problems

The Rutland City treasurer has acknowledged to aldermen that there have been shortcomings with ensuring that city bills are being paid.

Treasurer William Shortle says communication gaps within his department and with other city offices combined to put some city accounts in arrears.

But he told the Board of Aldermen he was implementing protocols to better track unpaid bills.

And he says he'll personally ensure bills don't go delinquent in the future by calling vendors to make sure they're paid.

Last week, officials at the city's Department of Public Works said they had dealt with unpaid bills from at least four vendors.

Central Vermont Public Service had issued at least one shutoff notice to the city.

Danville Resident Is New Miss Vermont USA

A Northeast Kingdom woman is the new Miss Vermont - USA.

Nineteen year old Amanda Gilman of Danville was crowned at a weekend competition in Burlington.

She will represent Vermont at the national Miss USA pageant in April.

Gilman is a 2004 graduate of Danville High School and is a student at Lyndon State College.

Debate Continues Among Adams Selectmen About Attracting New Business

A plan put forth by Adams Select Board Chair Myra Wilk aims to make the town more proactive in attracting new businesses.

Wilk presented her colleagues Wednesday with an economic incentive policy she says comes directly out of the long-term strategic plan adopted by the board earlier this year.

The plan would streamline the permitting process by waiving certain fees and would be more aggressive in offering tax increment financing, or TIF's, in exchange for job creation.

Wilk says the town needs to use all available resources to bring companies downtown and into the Adams Industrial Park.

Opposition came from selectman Ed MacDonald, who argues that some past TIF agreements haven't produced the number or quality of jobs promised. MacDonald says the effectiveness of TIF's is a myth, calling it a form of corporate welfare.

The draft economic incentive policy will be discussed further at a selectmen's workshop on August 31st.

Adams Selectmen Approve Police Contract

Selectmen in the town of Adams have approved a new contract with town police officers.

Members of the Adams Police Association had been working under terms of an expired agreement since July 1st, 2004. The new deal gives officers a 3 percent retroactive pay hike for fiscal year 2005...and 3 percent raises in each of the next 3 years. The town will continue to pay 75 percent of health care costs.

Town Administrator Bill Ketchum says the deal also raises longevity pay increases for officers, which are added onto their annual salary.

Negotiations actually began under former town administrator Bill Sheridan...and Select Board Chair Myra Wilk says Ketchum did an excellent job on his first major contract.

Retroactive pay increases for fiscal year 2005 total over 22 thousand dollars. Ketchum says the town may or may not have to ask for an additional appropriation, depending on overtime costs.

Convicted North Adams Landlord To Spend 18 months In Prison

North Adams Landlord John Choquette, Junior slated to spend 18 months in prison beginning September 7th, for bankruptcy fraud.

The government recommended a sentence of 21 months in prison, while Choquette's lawyer asked that he be sentenced to home confinement and probation.

Judge Nathaniel Gorton settled on 18 months behind bars, followed by two years of supervised release.

He also ordered Choquette to pay a 30-thousand dollar fine. Choquette was convicted in December on charges he concealed assets worth more than 140-thousand dollars when he filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Federal prosecutors say among the assets he hid were an E-trade account worth about 70-thousand dollars and seven rental properties.

Choquette says he has hired a management company to manage his affairs while he is away.

Adams Teenager Injured While Attempting Jump From Roof Into Pool

A 18-year-old Adams woman injured at a teenage gathering in the town of Cheshire last night.

State Police at Cheshire say 18-year-old Jennifer Nowicki of Adams was at a house on Stafford Hill Road in Cheshire along with several other teenagers, although the owner of the house was not home at the time of the incident.

Around 11:30 p.m., troopers say Nowicki attempted to jump off the roof of the house and into the pool, but instead landed on a picnic table below.

Nowicki suffered facial injuries, but police say none are considered life-threatening. She was taken to Berkshire Medical Center, an update on her condition is unavailable this morning.

State Police say no charges will be brought against the homeowner, and they say no alcohol was found on the premises.

Mass. Teachers Union Recruiting Charter Scholl Teachers

The Massachusetts Federation of Teachers has been actively recruiting teachers from the state's charter schools.

The union says it wants the teachers to have more say in working conditions, hours and pay

Union leaders claim teachers at charter schools generally work longer hours and earn less than their counterparts at traditional public schools. Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School Executive Director Julia Bowen says this is not necessarily the case at BaRT.

Charter schools have traditionally been free of contract restrictions, which proponents say gives them more power to innovate.

Charter school leaders say unionization could lead to the stifling of that creativity and innovation. BOSTON (AP) - Auto insurance companies that do business in Massachusetts reportedly considering asking for a CUT in premiums. The Boston Globe -- citing two industry sources -- says insurers will file a rate request that calls for a decrease of one-tenth of one percent. It would mark the first time the industry has asked the state's insurance commissioner to cut rates, rather than increase them. Massachusetts drivers currently pay the fourth-highest premiums in the nation. Governor Romney has proposed a major overhaul of auto insurance, calling the present system a "Soviet-style model." Industry officials tells the Globe they expect this year's rate-setting process to ultimately result in a decrease of about five percent.

An Increased Police Presence In Berkshire County

Police all across Berkshire County are joining forces...as witnessed over the past week with increased patrols leading to several arrests in the city of North Adams.

Public Safety Commissioner John Morocco says officers from Williamstown and Adams Police along with county sheriff's deputies and state troopers assisted in a city-wide crackdown on underage drinking, speeding and other motor vehicle violations.

Morocco says the goal of this effort is to improve residents' overall quality of life.

Morocco says the increased police presence allows law enforcement to be proactive in fighting crime, as opposed to reacting to a situation after it happens.

MCLA Recruits Georgia Man Undergraduate Admissions Office

The Mass College of Liberal Arts goes to Georgia to find a permanent Admissions Director.

Steven P. King will run M-C-L-A's undergraduate admissions office and will devise recruitment strategies for the college. King started in the post in June, and Vice-President Denise Richardello says he'll be presenting a strategic plan to the trustees and president in the fall.

King comes to North Adams from Kennesaw State University, where he served as Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions.

He brings over 20 years experience in all, including four years as admissions director at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts.

12-lot subdivision off Henderson Road Could Be History Making

A 12-lot subdivision approved this week off Henderson Road in the town of Williamstown could be history in the making...

Town Manager Peter Fohlin says if the town accepts a 13th lot being offered for affordable housing, if developed as such, it would be the first of many going forward.

The town planning board is allowing Berkshire Properties, Inc to subdivide one parcel into 7 lots this year, and another parcel into 5 lots next year. Under town by-laws, subdividing as such avoids further environmental and traffic studies that would be required if classified as a "major residential development."

Another condition set was that no more than 12 lots can be created without the planning board's approval.

Affordable Housing Committee Chair Anita Barker has been unavailable for comment. Potential acceptance of the land from the property owners will be decided by the Board of Selectmen.]

Federal Regulators Delay Electricity Rate Hike

Federal regulators have agreed to delay a new electricity rate plan for New England until late next year.

The decision comes in the wake of mounting criticism from governors, attorneys general and other elected officials.

They contend the I-S-O New England proposal will boost prices by up to 24 percent but won't guarantee the creation of more power.

mmission said the proposed rate changes, if approved, would not begin until October 2006.

And in response to requests from the six New England states, federal regulators will hear oral arguments in the case in late September.

The plan proposed by Holyoke-based I-S-O would set up separate pricing regions.

A statement from I-S-O says they're "disappointed" with the delay.

Fenway Fans Give Rogers The Bronx Cheer

Red Sox fans let Texas pitcher Kenny Rogers know exactly what they think of him.

Rogers was suspended 20 games for shoving two television cameramen on June 29th. But yesterday, an arbitrator trimmed the punishment to 13 games and Rogers joined the Rangers in Boston to get ready for his first start since July 26th.

The Fenway fans were ready for him, with one holding up a sign during batting practice that said, "Kenny Should Play Nice."

Rogers was jeered resoundingly when he took the mound for the bottom of the first inning. The boos stopped only at the end of the inning.

Rogers gave up Manny Ramirez's long home run in a five-run fourth inning as the Red Sox went on to a 16-to-5 win.

Rogers allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings for the loss.

Authorities Investigate Supplier Of Big Dig Concrete

Attorney General Tom Reilly says old concrete used in the Big Dig doesn't pose any risk to the project or drivers.

Reilly is confirming today that state and federal authorities are investigating the Big Dig's largest concrete supplier.

Officials raided three offices of Aggregate Industries in June after allegations surfaced that the company delivered substandard concrete and falsified records.

But the attorney general says there's no evidence the concrete compromises the structural integrity or safety of the Big Dig tunnels. He says the concrete was delivered at least five years ago and any structural problems would probably have appeared by now.

Lawyers for the company say Aggregate stands by the quality of the three-point-eight million cubic yards of concrete it delivered for the project.

Governor To Seek Public Input On Health Care Reform

Governor James Douglas wants to know what Vermonters think is the best way to reform the state's health care system.

So he's planning six regional forums and a statewide health care summit to help guide the development of his proposals for the coming legislative session.

The governor says all credible ideas can be discussed in what he calls an environment free of politics and partisan bias.

He says the process is a necessary step on the road to real reform.

Douglas says the goal is to make health care affordable for every Vermonter.

The first meeting will August 22nd in Bennington.

Other meetings will be held across the state.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

BRPC And Adams File Written Concerns With Nigro Development Proposal

The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and the town of Adams have each filed written concerns with a proposed home improvement center on Curran Highway in North Adams.

Nigro Development is proposing to build next to North Adams Plaza, which connects to the town's wastewater treatment plant. Nigro's environmental notification form states its intention to extend that line to the new development, should the town approve.

Town administrator Bill Ketchum responded to Nigro's E-N-F requesting more detailed flow data from the existing line.

North Adams Mayor John Barrett says neither the town nor the B-R-P-C ever sat down with city officials to discuss these issues, accusing both of coming up with a "plan to block this project."

Adams Select Board Chair Myra Wilk says the town is simply expressing its concerns, but is not trying to block the project.

Other issues raised in Ketchum's letter include traffic impacts and whether the proposed development would create new jobs as opposed to shifting jobs from existing businesses. Nigro slated to return to the city planning board next month.

North Adams Mayor Has Challenger For 2005

Unlike 2003, the Dean of Mayors has a challenger in 2005... North Adams Mayor John Barrett - already the longest-serving Mayor in the Commonwealth - will face opposition in his quest for a 12th straight term in the corner office.

The city clerk has certified Barrett's nominating petition and that of Walter Smith, Junior of East Main Street. Smith has never held elected office in the city and currently works at the North Adams Wal-Mart

Election Day is November 8th...when nine city council seats will be up for grabs as well. All the incumbents are running for re-election, seven challengers have surfaced -- and the petitions of all 16 are certified.

Andrew Etman of Franklin Street and Peter May of Summit Ave were the last two challengers to file papers with the city clerk.

Other newcomers are Richard Harlow, Kelly Lee, Nikolai Rudd, Eric Buddington and Chris Tremblay.

No contested races for any school committee seats this year.

Three incumbents on the North Adams School Committee and two incumbents on the McCann School Committee will each run unopposed.

Clarksburg Man Pleads Not Guilty To Hit And Run Charge

51 year old Thomas Ferris of Clarksburg pleaded not guilty in Northern Berkshire District Court to charges of leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, leaving the scene of property damage, negligent operation, a marked lane violation and failure to yield at an intersection in connection with an alleged hit-and-run accident in which a motorcyclist from Wisconsin was injured.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Union and Cliff Streets in North Adams on June 28th. The driver of the motorcycle was treated and released from North Adams Regional Hospital the same day.

Ferris was arraigned on the charges yesterday in district court. He was released by Judge Rita Koenig and is due back in court September 12th.

Pittsfield Woman Gets Two Years In Jail For Dealing Drugs

A Pittsfield woman gets two years in jail after admitting she was a drug dealer.

Megan Moore was arrested after police said she and two other people sold crack cocaine to an undercover officer last December. Moore pleaded guilty yesterday in Berkshire Superior Court to illegal drug charges, including dealing in a drug-free school zone.

Co-defendants Arthur Bushey and Traci Holtgrew already are serving time for the drug transactions.

Prosecutors say the 44-year-old Moore was the head of the drug ring.

Officials Seeking Cause Of Police Station Stenc

What is it that makes you want to hold your nose when you go into the police station in Orange?

The station has been partially shut down because of the bad smell, which first was noticed last Friday. This week, the office dispatcher has been manning a command post in the department's mobile command post trailer, and a line from the office telephone has been run across the parking area from the station to the trailer.

The building was ventilated over the weekend, but the odor persists. The odor has caused some town employees to suffer burning eyes, scratchy throats and nausea.

State officials have joined in the probe of the bad smell. Vermont state Police are reporting that 26 year old Kristin Berard of Bennington died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning due to a defect in the vehicle she was driving. Police say they found Berard at about 5pm Monday just off route 7 near exit 3 in Arlington. she was transported to The southwest Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. The case which is being treated as an accidental death is still under investigation.

State Survey: Job Vacancies Up In Massachusetts

A survey conducted by the state Department of Workforce Development finds that more Massachusetts employers are hiring new workers.

The report covers the fourth quarter of 2004 and finds job vacancies are up significantly for many high-paying industries including life s