Paul Tuthill

Officials in Springfield Massachusetts have announced plans to remove tornado debris from a waterway to enhance a recreational area. 

As part of its 150th anniversary observance officials broke ground on Thursday to build a new agricultural learning center at UMass Amherst. 

A massive housing renovation project will take place this Saturday in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  A thousand volunteers will pack two contiguous streets  in Springfield’s Old Hill neighborhood and do major repair  work on more than two dozen homes..

   Carol Granado is excited about the work planned on her home at 163 Tyler Street that will include a new roof, exterior painting, new bathroom plumbing and three new windows.

A conservative political group is airing a radio ad that takes aim at Democrat Edward Markey in the Massachusetts special Senate election. 

   The super PAC, Committee For A Better Massachusetts, which backs Republican Senate hopeful Gabriel Gomez is paying for an ad that depicts a doorman telling a woman that a political candidate has come calling.

With just a week remaining before the primaries in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts the two Democratic candidates held a debate in Springfield last night that was punctuated with heated rhetoric. 

The two veteran U.S. Representatives, Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey, argued bitterly over their Congressional voting records on issues ranging from homeland security to health care to the bailout of the automobile industry. Markey accused Lynch of personal attacks and deliberate distortions, while Lynch at one point called Markey a “liar.”

The two Democratic candidates in the special U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts argued bitterly over their Congressional voting records for much of an hour long debate Tuesday night in Springfield.

Representative Stephen Lynch and Representative Edward Markey slammed each other over votes on issues including homeland security, healthcare reform, and free trade.  At one point, Lynch called Markey a “ liar” after Markey claimed  Lynch had opposed the federal bailout of the auto industry in 2008.

With exactly one week until the party primaries in the special election for U.S. Senate in Massachusetts the two Democratic candidates will participate in a debate in Springfield.

There will be no casino referendum in Springfield on June 25th , the same day voters  head to the polls in Massachusetts for the special Senate election.

Massachusetts marked one week since the Boston Marathon bombings with a statewide minute of silence.  It took place at 2:50 this afternoon coinciding with the time the first bomb exploded near the finish line. Three people were killed and scores more wounded.

The doors of Saint Michael’s Cathedral in downtown Springfield were opened for people to come in and  silently pray.  The quiet contemplation was interrupted briefly by the gentle ringing of bells marking the end of the observance of a minute of silence.

Community activists in Springfield Massachusetts say a 25 year old Middletown Connecticut man who went on trial Monday for assaulting police is actually a victim of police brutality.

Ellen Graves and other members of a group called the Community Coaltion for Justice  rallied outside the courthouse in defense of  Michael Ververis who is facing felony charges stemming from a disturbance more than 2 years ago at closing time in the city’s entertainment district.