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Fathers & Sons in West Springfield ends relationship with Kia Motors

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Fathers & Sons, located on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, said that it will focus solely on its Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo automobiles.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Fathers & Sons and Kia Motors have discontinued their 17-year relationship, Fathers & Sons announced in a press release.

Fathers & Sons, located on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, said that it will focus solely on its Volkswagen, Audi and Volvo automobiles.

The release contained no comments from management, citing "legal reasons."

Fathers_and_sons_porsche.JPGFathers & Sons in West Springfield has announced the end of its relationship with Kia Motors. In this file photo, the auto dealership announced the arrival of the Porsche Carrera GT 605-HP . 

Local Kia customers were referred to Gary Rome Kia in Enfield and Kia of Hartford, which are the closest dealers for warranty and dealer repairs.

Earlier this year, Kia, whose U.S. headquarters is based in California, announced the permanent closing of the Lia Kia dealership on King Street in Northampton (pictured above).

Albany-based Lia continues to operate other Northampton dealerships including Lia Honda, Lia Toyota and the newly purchased Lia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.


New Balance shoe company opens world headquarters in Boston (video, photos)

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New Balance, a shoes and athletic apparel company that saw $3.3 billion in sales last year, opened its new world headquarters this week, as part of the Boston Landing development that will feature a practice arena for the Bruins and a new commuter rail station. Watch video

BOSTON - New Balance, a shoes and athletic apparel company that saw $3.3 billion in sales last year, opened its new world headquarters on Thursday in the city's Allston-Brighton neighborhood.

Looking like a cruise ship or, if you prefer, a sneaker, pulling alongside the Massachusetts Turnpike, the 250,000-square-foot headquarters sits next to commuter rail train tracks and Interstate 90, thirty miles away from its manufacturing facility in Lawrence.

The building is geared towards the Millennial generation, according to David Manfredi, founding principal of Elkus Manfredi Architects, which worked on the project.

Standing in the lobby, New Balance President and CEO Robert DeMartini pointed to the big screen behind him. It's flashy and it looks great, he said, but the workspaces in the floors above are meant to be the real attraction, where employees can electronically collaborate with partners across the world in real time.

"This building doesn't just house their business, it creates new open space, new park space, new sidewalks, new streets, new train station, so it's much more than the confines of a building, it's much more about making a little piece of a neighborhood here that will have benefits well beyond the edges of New Balance," Manfredi said.

The cost of building the new headquarters, which is down the street from its former headquarters, was not immediately available.

New Balance is a private company. When asked if there is an initial public offering in the company's future, DeMartini said, "We enjoy being private a lot."

The building is part of the 15-acre "Boston Landing," a real estate development that will also include the Boston Bruins practice facility, a 10-story office building, a new commuter rail station, as well as residences, 80,000-square-feet of retail, and a track and field center, all on Guest Street.

The Bruins practice facility, known as the Warrior Ice Arena, is set to be finished next September. The commuter rail station, which New Balance is paying for, is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.

New Balance was founded in 1906 and assembles four million pairs of athletic shoes a year in the U.S. The company has 5,000 employees around the world, and 600 will be employed, to start, at the Allston Brighton headquarters.

Converse, which is owned by New Balance competitor Nike, open its world headquarters in Boston earlier this year, moving from Andover.

Wall Street closes lower after Federal Reserve announces plan to keep interest rates low

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Bumpy trading came after the Fed decided to keep interest rates low for now, citing weakness in the global economy and unsettled financial markets.

By KEN SWEET

NEW YORK -- Stocks ended mostly lower after a volatile day as traders tried to figure out what was next for U.S. interest rates.

The bumpy trading Thursday came after the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates low for now, citing weakness in the global economy and unsettled financial markets.

Investors did make significant bets on U.S. Treasuries and, for a change, precious metals. The U.S. dollar weakened against its major currency counterparts as the threat of higher interest rates abated.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 65.21 points, or 0.4 percent, to 16,674.74. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 5.11 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,990.20 and the Nasdaq composite index rose 4.71 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,893.95.

The Fed said that while the U.S. job market is solid, there are reasons to be concerned about global economic growth. Fed Chair Janet Yellen said a rate hike is still likely this year. The Fed meets again in October and December.

"The market got what it wanted," said Alan Rechtschaffen, a portfolio manager at UBS. "The market had a 'rate rant' last month and that scared the Fed."

Interest rates have been near zero since 2008, when the Fed drastically cut rates in response to the financial crisis and Great Recession. The last time the central bank actually raised rates was 2006.

Ultra-low interest rates tend to help the stock market because they make bonds, CDs and other income-producing investments less appealing by comparison. They also make it inexpensive for companies to borrow money to buy back their own shares, which also sends stock prices higher.

On the other hand, the Fed has made it abundantly clear that the current policy of super-low rates is an unusual measure intended to shore up the economy and will eventually be dismantled. Keeping it in place is a signal that the Fed believes the economy isn't quite strong enough to withstand higher rates. For investors wondering when interest rate policy will be "normalized," that means more waiting.

"They just need a little more time. The drumbeat is getting louder for them to actually raise rates," said Tony Bedikian, head of global markets at Citizens Financial Group.

With interest rates not changing soon and inflation in check, investors bought up bonds. The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note dropped to 2.19 percent from 2.30 percent the day before, a large move. The two-year Treasury note, which would be more heavily impacted by higher short-term interest rates, had even an even more dramatic move, dropping to 0.68 percent from 0.80 percent.

In precious metals markets, gold and silver saw significant buying in after-hours trading after the Fed released its statement. Gold fell $2 to settle at $1,117 an ounce in regular trading but was up $12.80 to $1,131.80 an ounce later. Silver added 10 cents to settle at $14.98 an ounce, and gained another 25 cents to $15.13 in extended trading. Copper finished unchanged at $2.45 a pound in regular trading. It was up a penny in after-hours trading.

Oil finished slightly lower after the Fed's comments. U.S. crude fell 25 cents to $46.90 a barrel. Brent crude, a benchmark for many international oils imported by U.S. refineries, fell 67 cents to $49.08 a barrel.

In other energy futures trading, wholesale gasoline fell less than a penny to $1.376 a gallon. Heating oil slipped 1.17 cents to $1.53 a gallon and natural gas fell 1 cent to $2.652 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Holyoke residents' call for investigation of separation agreement tabled in committee for councilors' questions

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Holyoke councilors want to know whether the separation agreement was subject to withholding taxes and if it included unemployment compensation.

HOLYOKE -- A City Council committee tabled consideration of a petition from residents seeking an investigation into the separation agreement that Mayor Alex B. Morse made with a former city solicitor last year that paid her $45,000 when she resigned.

Councilors at the Finance Committee meeting at City Hall Monday (Sept. 14) had questions they were unable to get addressed, with a member of the city Law Department unable to attend the meeting, about the separation agreement. Another meeting will be scheduled probably this month, Chairman Todd A. McGee said Thursday.

State Attorney General Maura Healey has said the separation agreement constituted "no legal violation, criminal or civil."

Among councilors' questions were whether the $45,000 was subject to withholding taxes; whether unemployment compensation was included in the separation agreement as payment to the former solicitor, Heather G. Egan; and to which state agency the City Council would forward a request for an investigation, McGee said.

"We've never had a petition like this come forward. We want to make sure we're doing it right," McGee said.

When Egan resigned on April 29, 2014, Morse said it was for "personal reasons." Citing a nondisclosure clause in the agreement, Morse and Egan have said they are unable to discuss why the agreement included a payment of $45,000.

Morse has said that in executing the separation agreement with Egan he did what was in the city's best interest by avoiding costly litigation.

The Republican and MassLive.com outlined the reasons for the payment in a seven-part series in March called "Port In A Storm."

Morse competes in the preliminary election for mayor Tuesday (Sept. 22) against business owner Fran O'Connell and Ward 2 Councilor Anthony Soto.

The top two finishers in the preliminary election will survive to square off on Election Day Nov. 3 while the third-place candidate will be eliminated.

The City Council voted June 16 to refer the residents' petition about the separation agreement to committee. The Finance Committee considered the matter July 22 but a glitch occurred and the Law Department didn't receive councilors' questions, so it was tabled that night, McGee said. Then summer break occurred with vacations and the committee next dealt with the matter Monday.

The petition, and a letter written by former Fire Commission member Robert R. Authier Sr., calls on the council to ask that the state attorney general or district attorney investigate the separation agreement. The letter included a petition Authier said was signed by 126 residents.

"Without a doubt, this is the biggest issue Holyoke residents -- most of them voters -- are asking about," Authier's letter said.

The letter and petition come despite Healey's office having said on May 21 the office had rejected the City Council's own request to investigate the separation agreement.

The office does not undertake the type of investigation the City Council sought, said Juliana deHaan Rice, deputy chief of the attorney general's government bureau office.

Also, in a meeting May 28 with The Republican editorial board in Springfield, Healey said her staff considered the City Council request for an investigation of the Morse-Egan separation agreement and nothing arose as a legal problem.

"We reviewed that agreement and concluded there was no legal violation, criminal or civil," Healey said.

Egan, in a May 21 letter to the attorney general responding to the City Council's request for an investigation, said such a probe was unwarranted because the agreement was executed properly. The mayor, as the executive branch of government, has the "sole right" to make contracts, she said.

"In reality, a carefully drafted contract was entered into whereby I resigned as Solicitor, a standard separation agreement with incorporated settlement and release was entered into by the parties, and a severance payment issued in consideration for the same," Egan's letter said.

Fundraiser set to help with Holyoke Merry Go Round maintenance

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The 48-horse, hand-carved Holyoke Merry Go Round is a nonprofit that is totally self-supporting.

HOLYOKE -- The "Fall Back in Time Fundraiser" will be held Friday (Sept. 18) to benefit the Holyoke Merry Go Round.

The event will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at the site of the 48-horse, hand-carved Merry Go Round in Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., press release said.

Memorabilia will be displayed from the former Mountain Park amusement site, where the Merry Go Round and the pipe band organ at its center were located on Mount Tom. When the amusement park closed in 1987, people in the community led a drive to save the carousel. The Merry Go Round was moved and opened in the park Dec. 7, 1993.

Tickets are $45 a person.

"The Holyoke Merry Go Round is a nonprofit that is totally self-supporting and does not receive city, state or federal funding to maintain its operation. We rely on our annual Preservation Fund, donations and various fundraising events to keep the carousel spinning," Angela Wright, executive director of the Merry Go Round, has said.

The carousel was built in 1927 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company and the pipe band organ by Artizan Factories Inc. of North Tonawanda, New York in 1929.

The fundraiser will feature food and a cash bar prepared by The Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, live music, train rides provided by the Pioneer Valley Railroad and carousel rides, according to the Merry Go Round website.

A raffle with $8,000 in prizes also will be held. Raffle tickets are $100 each. Event and raffle tickets are available at the Holyoke Merry Go Round or by calling Meghan O'Connor at (413) 427-7629 or Susan Leary at (413) 592-7573.

Baystate Medical gets top nursing officer as first female president

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Nancy Shendell-Falik has been promoted to president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president for hospital operations, Baystate Health.

SPRINGFIELD - Nancy Shendell-Falik has been promoted to president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president for hospital operations, Baystate Health.

She is the center's first female president, and the first nurse as president of Baystate Medical Center.

"I am extremely excited about the opportunity to guide our nationally-recognized hospital into the future," Shendell-Falik said in a release.

"I look forward to working collaboratively with staff and leaders of all Baystate facilities to deliver care that is compassionate, of the highest quality and affordable. As I prepare to assume my new role, I am honored and humbled to be the first woman and nurse to hold this position at Baystate."

A registered nurse at the master's level, Shendell- Falik has served in the dual position at Baystate Health as senior vice president/chief operating officer and chief nursing officer for Baystate Medical for the past two years.

Her appointment becomes effective Oct. 1, according to hospital officials.

Dr. Mark A. Keroack, Baystate Health president and chief executive officer, called Shendell-Falik's new role "an important step in our journey toward becoming a fully-integrated health system, ensuring that we deliver care most effectively and efficiently."

shendell-falik.jpgNancy Shendell-Falik has been promoted to president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president for hospital operations, Baystate Health. 

"As Baystate Health continues to develop a regional model of care, an important new directive for Nancy will be to help us to achieve a greater alignment between our five hospitals, physicians, and other community providers," Keroack said in a release.

Besides Baystate Medical, Baystate Health consists of Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, and its newest members Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer and Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield.

In Shendell-Falik's new role, the presidents of Baystate Franklin Medical Center/Northern Region, Baystate Noble Hospital and Baystate Health's Eastern Region will report to her.

Before coming to Baystate, Shendell-Falik served as senior vice president for patient care services and chief nursing officer at Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children in Boston.

Prior to her work in Boston, she served as senior vice president, patient care services, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. While at the 673-bed regional care teaching hospital, she led initiatives to improve quality and safety, implemented a nurse residency program, and reduced nursing vacancy rates.

Shendell-Falik holds a master's degree in nursing from New York University and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Rutgers College of Nursing. She was a fellow of the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Program.



Foreclosure title clearing bill clears Senate

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On a 31 to 7 vote in its first formal session since July, the Senate passed a measure that would limit property title challenges to a three-year window going forward.

By Andy Metzger, Matt Murphy and Michael Norton
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE

STATE HOUSE, BOSTON, SEPT. 17, 2015.....The Senate took a big step on Thursday toward giving some legal assurances to those who purchase homes in foreclosure, a controversial step opposed by the branch's liberal wing.

On a 31 to 7 vote in its first formal session since July, the Senate passed a measure that would limit property title challenges to a three-year window going forward. The bill now goes to the House.

Proponents of the bill (S 1981) argue that lengthy periods when the home's former owner can dispute the title leave new owners unable to sell the home or refinance a mortgage. Opponents say the change will strip recourse from those who were forced out of their homes in an illegal foreclosure.

Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler, of Worcester, said the bill has been a frequent topic of conversation among senators and industry officials, recalling how title examiners and insurers and real estate lawyers had described the Massachusetts foreclosure laws as "a mess." Chandler said the bill "solves a small part of a very big problem" and expressed hope for "broader scale" solutions.

A Chandler amendment adopted by the Senate would require the attorney general and the commissioner of banks to alert people to the effect of the proposed law through a website.

Last year, former Gov. Deval Patrick returned a similar bill with an amendment extending the period of time former owners could seek to reclaim foreclosed property, which stopped its progress through the branches. This year the Senate had a fuller debate on the topic after delaying action until after the summer recess so more senators could get comfortable with the bill.

"You establish a three-year statute of limitation," said Sen. Michael Moore, a Millbury Democrat who sponsored the bill. Moore said he had been approached about the matter by a title association representative.

According to Moore's office, the bill would allow an affidavit recorded during the resale of a property to be used as "conclusive evidence" that the foreclosing lender is in compliance, giving others three years to challenge that. The window would be one year for foreclosures that already occurred.

"I'm very concerned about homeowners that were taken advantage of during the foreclosure crisis and fiscal crisis of 2008, and unfortunately what this bill does is it limits people's abilities to sue the banks and title insurance companies," Sen. Jamie Eldridge, an Acton Democrat, who voted against the bill, told reporters.

Before passing the bill, senators revisited the problem of improper foreclosures and passed an amendment to the bill making punitive damages an option in cases where there were unfair or deceptive practices. Eldridge said the damages option was warranted, in part, because he said large banks had not been held accountable for their actions.

The Senate rejected, on a 15-23 vote, another Eldridge amendment that would have allowed homeowners facing foreclosures to remain in their homes and pay fair market rents until banks decide to sell the homes.

Eldridge and Democratic Sens. Linda Dorcena Forry, of Dorchester, and Sonia Chang-Diaz, of Jamaica Plain, argued that in addition to benefits for the individuals involved, the amendment would ensure that fewer properties are vacant for months, dragging down surrounding home values and serving as bases for criminal activity.

Critics of the right-to-rent amendment said the idea is pending in separate legislation before the Judiciary Committee and strayed from the scope of the bill at hand.

"All we're doing is prolonging the agony," Judiciary Chairman Will Brownsberger, a Belmont Democrat, said of the proposal. He said it would extend "the limbo period."

Forry said banks are not unloading their properties, allowing them to sit vacant, and called the measure "common sense," saying it wouldn't mean "free rent."

Sen. John Keenan, a Quincy Democrat, argued unsuccessfully in favor of a measure that would have required notification to the Registry of Deeds as mortgage assignments change. The chain of custody in mortgages is often difficult to follow, which added confusion during the mass of defaults during the financial collapse.

"I think it's equally important that we try to prevent that in the future," Keenan said.

Brownsberger argued that such a requirement would complicate the paperwork for the mortgage secondary market.

Voting against passage of the bill were Senate Ways and Means Vice-Chairman Sal DiDomenico, Ways and Means Assistant Vice-Chairwoman Patricia Jehlen, Sen. Ken Donnelly, Chang-Diaz, Forry, Keenan and Eldridge.

Critics of the legislation contended that it could prove to be unworkable and discriminatory against communities of color, who they said were disproportionately impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis.

In a letter written to Senate President Stanley Rosenberg and members of the Senate, some minority community leaders, including Mel King, Boston City Councilor Tito Jackson and Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree, argued that the bill would have a "racially biased impact" and "ratify the lending practices that have ravaged many communities in our state."

The leaders said that the subprime mortgage crisis helped speed Massachusetts to its current position of having the largest disparity in homeownership between whites and minorities, which they said would only worsen under the bill.

Grace Ross, of the Massachusetts Alliance Against Predatory Lending, also questioned the constitutionality of the bill, and furnished an email from a title examiner that was reviewed by the News Service claiming the language of the bill could make it difficult to enforce.

Ross said that giving those who were foreclosed upon just one year to try to claim the title to their property violates the contract clause of the U.S. Constitution. "This building can't rewrite private contracts, and certainly can't do it retrospectively," she said.

Eldridge said he too had constitutionality concerns both at the state and federal level, including the bill's limiting of property rights.

"I don't think it's a good bill. I think it extinguishes the claims of some broadly or illegally foreclosed homeowners, and that's why I voted no," he said.

Report from AG Maura Healey finds disparate health care pricing

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The study finds that Massachusetts patients are continuing to use the highest priced doctors, driving up health are costs in the state.

BOSTON - There are still widely disparate prices among health care providers in Massachusetts and patients are continuing to use the highest priced doctors, driving up health are costs in the state.

Those are the findings of a new report by Attorney General Maura Healey's office. Healey's report confirms other recent data which have shown that health insurance costs in Massachusetts are continuing to rise and transparent pricing for health care is still difficult to come by.

Healey said in a statement that the report shows that challenges remain in Massachusetts' health care system. "Continued cost increases are a burden on families and businesses, and it is clear more needs to be done to address continuing payment disparities that threaten long-term cost containment goals," Healey said.

Over the last several years, Massachusetts has put in place legislation aimed at lowering health care costs. But Healey's report found that while those measures have led to some improvement, there is still significant price variation among providers, which is not explained by differing quality. New types of insurance payment systems aimed at lowering costs - for example by establishing different "tiers" of providers where people pay less if they see a cheaper doctor - have not always been successful in moving patients away from higher-cost hospitals.

Additionally, the report found that more expensive doctors continue to draw the most patients.

The report makes a number of recommendations, including simplifying and making more transparent cost information, both through insurers and health care providers.

Healey's report is likely to provide new ammunition for efforts to pass legislation that would limit disparities in the amount of money commercial insurers can pay different hospitals for the same procedure. A legislative committee will hear testimony on that bill on Tuesday.

Read Healey's full report below.

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Real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, September 27, 2015 edition

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Deeds in Pioneer Valley


Agawam

Alan E. Mark, Shirley D. Mark and Shirley D. Shaw Mark to Festus Vanjah and Rachel Vanjah, 53 Alexander Drive, $380,000.

Anthony B. Bishop to Shaye A. Stone, 70 Reed St., $211,000.

Donald F. Kinsley and Carol A. Kinsley to David P. Curley, 104 Raymond Circle, $195,500.

George A. Skala to Dale T. Wise, 120 Plantation Driive, $146,900.

Langone Realty Corp., to Peter A. Langone and Arlene M. Langone, 34-36 Mark Drive, $384,000.

Silver Street Realty LLC, to MSR Properties LLC, 699 Silver St., $930,000.

Amherst

Michael L. Summers, Leah N. Summers and Zarath M. Summers to Susan Buckland, 75 Spaulding St., $182,000.

Ryan L. Spalding to Ling Xue and Wei Lu, 170 East Hadley Road, $90,000.

Patrick J. Sullivan and Tina L. Thompson-Sullivan to Margaret A. Riley, 870 South East St., $400,000.

Belchertown

Paul A. Lussier and Joan Dahl-Lussier to David H. Rainaud and Gena M. Rainaud, Trillium Way, $88,000.

Matthew R. Benoit to Oscar Chaverri and Sarah Fournier, 24 Ledgewood Drive, $256,000.

Walter G. Pacheco and Kimberly A. Pacheco to Matthew R. Benoit and Elizabeth A. Benoit, 54 Pondview Circle, $385,000.

Patricia J. Hanecak, Kenneth W. Hanecak and Crystal P. Hanecak to Joseph P. Hession and Megan C. Hession, 500 Warren Wright Road, $227,500.

Thomas F. Spellman, executor, Joseph W. Topor Jr., executor, and Sebastian E. Dudek to Gary G. Decoteau, Bardwell Street, $60,000.

Arthur A. Wentworth and Linda M. Wentworth to David P. Fellion Jr., and Ashley E. Fellion, 21 Old Sawmill Road, $364,000.

Daniel N. Neville and Elizabeth B. Neville to Josh E. Dufresne and Theresa A. Dufresne, 26 Plaza Ave., $300,000.

Elizabeth E. Burleson to Josh E. Dufresne and Theresa A. Dufresne, 26 Plaza Ave., $300,000.

Bernardston

Jason R. Baklavas, Talia L. Baklavas and Talia L. Ramsdell to James A. Gross and Sharon M. Gross, 145 Merrifield Road, $323,000.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, to Scott DiGeorge and Donna DiGeorge, 169 Bald Mountain Road, $59,000.

Blandford

Alan D. Vautier and Suzette Vautier to Ian T. McEwan, 6 Wyman Road, $160,000.

Buckland

Phillips B. Sherburne and Jo-Anne H. Sherburne to Zachary P. Livingston, 40 State St., and 38-40 State St., $139,000.

Michelle L. Rose to Jeffrey P. Dvorak, 43 Buckland Road, $112,500.

Pamela W. Walker to Stephen R. Pelletier and Katherine Anne McKay, 48 Franklin St., $209,500.

Chester

Donald E. Bail to Luc Gelinas and Lynn Gelinas, 10 Forest Road, $29,900.

Richard E. Dugre and Judith M. Dugre to Russell Calabrese, 66 Littleville Road, $325,000.

Chesterfield

Jeremy P. Scully and Michelle R. Scully to Bank of America NA, 80 South St., $201,620.

Chicopee

Bank Of America to MA Home Buyers LCc, 35 Reedstone Ave., $70,000.

Bayview Loan Servicing LLC, to R2R LLC, 73 School St., $165,000.

Brian J. Jarry, Jill S. Jarry and Jill S. Wahlgren to Grzegorz P. Lech and Anna B. Bialczak, 225 Fuller Road, $219,000.

Bruce F. Cote to Dianne A. Copeland and Wayne D. Morphew, 56 Acrebrook Drive, $177,000.

C R A Holdings Inc., to Claude D. Labrie and Anita M. J. Labrie, Morgan Circle, $125,000.

Claude D. Labrie and Anita M. J. Labrie to C R A Holdings Inc., 173 Mayflower Ave., $105,000.

David A. Daudelin, David A. Pierce and Dorothy A. Pierce to David A. Pierce and Dorothy A. Pierce, 301 Skeele St., $100.

Diane Lavoie, Janet B. Westcott and Janet Buczek to Robert A. Arcott, 48-50 Ames Ave., $165,000.

Eileen M. Morin and Rene J. Morin Jr., to Steven J. Morin, 88 Cora Ave., $150,000.

Elaine M. Blazejowski to Alfonso Botta and Kristen Botta, 14 Tolpa Court, $237,500.

Jane Brueno and Lois J. Metivier to Bertrand E. McDonald, 129 Horseshoe Drive, Unit 6126C, $92,500.

Jason D. Siudak and Audrey R. Siudak to Sara A. Kindness, 104 Fair St., $187,000.

John K. Buckley, representative, Marguerite McCarthy, estate, and Marguerite M. McCarthy, estate, to Ralph H. Strolis, 38 Davenport St., $140,000.

Juan B. Martinez, Nancy Martinez and Nancy Seda to Christopher J. Trigo, 67 State St., $167,000.

Linda Furgal to Roxanne Furgal, 124 Deslauriers St., $117,000.

Mathew Geffin, Tamara Geffin and Tamara Wright to Megan E. Harris, 210 Johnson Road, Unit 10, $147,000.

Scott A. Ryer, Scott Ryer and Jeanne B. Ryer to Sergey Shumskiy and Tatyana Shumskiy, 115 State St., $180,000.

Colrain

Dennis A. Johnson and Romona G. Johnson to Ryan M. Bauer and Alicia A. Vight, 120 Main Road, $157,000.

Michael J. Beausoleil and Christine L. Beausoleil to Nicholas J. Beausoleil and Marrica Della Torre, 120 Nelson Road, $140,000.

Colrain Town Taxes to C. Leigh Morrell, 5 Griswoldville St., $40,000.

Conway

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Nicholas A. Sweet and Emily L. Wholey, 470 Wilder Hill Road, $175,000.

Cummington

Robert Thomas Sippel, Thomas R. Sippel and Stephanie L. Pasternak to Alexis Schneeflock and Fletcher C. Schneeflock, 33 Potash Hill Road, $470,000.

Deerfield

Andrew F. Bell and Suzanne M. Bell to Richard Allium and Sara Allium, 14 South Main St., $216,000.

Colleen S. Archer to Rachel Springly Shipman, 4B Meadow Oak Lane, Unit 5, Meadow Oak Condominiums, $200,000.

East Longmeadow

Jodi Manley and Courtney A. Reyes to Stephen M. Gullberg and Maureen K. Gullberg, 105 Maple St., $115,000.

Michael K. Harding to Dorothy J. Hightower, 77 Brookhaven Drive, $355,000.

Pacifica L. Fourteen LLC, to Mya Realty LLC, 42 Holland Drive, $92,250.

Peter D. Carpenter and Anne C. Carpenter to Emilio Guadalupe and Justina Guadalupe, 421 Prospect St., $222,000.

Wayne J. Cote, Theresa Cote and Theresa Romero to Dennis J. Reyes, 56 Lynwood Road, $171,900.

Easthampton

Alexis Schneeflock, Fletcher Schneeflock and Alexis Breiteneicher to John J. Voci and Morellen H. MacLeish, 63 Maple St., $304,000.

Joseph P. Fahy to Carrie M. Roche and Pablo A. Garcia, 12 Propect St., $278,900.

Charles S. Gebo, personal representative, and Jack H. Gebo, estate, to Andrea R. Zax, 26-28 Chapman Ave., $165,000.

Stephen C. Robinson to A-Z Storage & Properties LLC, 23 Oneill St., $400,000.

John Vadnais to Katherine A. Singer and Damien L. Ober, 33 Reservation Road, $631,000.

Joan M. Judge to Sandra B. Kandrotas, 64 Hendrick St., $10,000.

Erving

Carol A. Drost to Jean L. Galbraith, 22 Lillian's Way, Unit 22, French King Condominiums, $174,000.

Goshen

Harry McColgan, Harry H. McColgan and Tully J. McColgan, attorney in fact, to Pamela M. Paquette and Paul R. Paquette, 14 Pine Road, Cherry Street and South Chesterfield Road, $40,000.

Granby

Robert F. Sheehan and Eileen M. Sheehan, attorney in fact, to Eileen M. Sheehan, 146 Taylor St., $100.

Ann L. De Roode to Bonnie G. Leflore, 72 Granby Heights, $135,000.
Stephen F. Marion and Rebecca M. Marion to Penny T. Gill, West Street, $75,000.

Granville

Ernest W. Sattler to Scott Bergeron, Hartland Hollow Road, $35,000.

Greenfield

Charles L. Pease and June M. Pease to Veaceslav Falceanu and Inna Falceanu, 65 Devens St., $61,500.

Katherine H. Schoenberger Estate, Barbara A. Killeen and Barbara A. S. Killeen, personal representative, to Marcia Ann Boyd Revocable Trust of 2000 and Marica Ann Boyd, trustee, 671 Lampblack Road, $230,000.

William D. Kilgour and Donna M. Kilgour to Donald L. Ouellette and Melanie L. Ouellette, 52 Newell Pond Road, $208,000.

Walter A. Chudzik and Davina M. Chudzik to Michael A. Herbert and Stephen J. Herbert, 22 Fairview Street East, $206,500.

Neil J. Hellman to Jared A. Englehardt, 26 Princeton Terrace, Unit 26, Meadowview Manor Condominium, $93,900.

Hadley

Nancy L. Huntley to John A. Siano and Jean L. Siano, 170 Bay Road, $307,000.

Linda E. Allard and Gary F. Allard to Jacqueline M. Allard, trustee, and Allard 2015 Irrevocable Trust, 51 Breckenridge Road, $100.

Jennifer E. Clark and Jennifer E. Johnston to New City Properties LLC, 456 River Drive, $202,500.

New City Properties LLC, to Justin D. Killeen, 456 River Drive, $208,000.

Hampden

Jonathan Caruana and Meghan Caruana to Jay C. Torres and Jennifer C. Torres, 39 Mill Road, $270,000.

Heath

Lloyd W. Robinson and Annette A. Robinson to Scott Veighey, 24 Shawnee Drive, $21,000.

Holland

Bank Of New York Mellon, trustee, to Daniel Hill, 65 Stafford Road, $117,000.

Marguerite V. Choquette to William Cromack and Lorraine Cromack, 31 Lake Shore Drive, $111,000.

Holyoke

Aurelio Garcia, Marilyn Garcia and Marilyn Sanchez to Robert Allen and Sara Allen, 249 Huron Ave., $142,000.

Carlos I. Lopez-Rivera to U S Bank, trustee, 318-320 Oak St., $141,588.

David A. Gowler to Peter A. Williams and Ann Kathryn Bisbee, 101 Pearl St., $175,000.

Everett J. Sexton Sr., to Hashim Mwanilelo, 324 Westfield Road, $170,000.

Jean M. Fournier to Tammy K. Schmidt, 25 Arthur St., $136,000.

Kurt J. Pfeil and Else Pfeil to Bonnie Kane, 101 Cabot St., Unit 502, $120,000.

Melissa A. Bauer and Daniel P. Bauer to David A. Gowler, 11 Arbor Way Unit C, $108,500.

J. N. Duquette & Son Construction Inc., to Peter J. Higgins and Kathleen A. Higgins, 7 Michelle Lane, $364,900.

Tabitha A. Morgan, Allia Abdullah Matta, Allia Abdullah Mata and Anna Rita Napoleone to Angel L. Guzman-Velasquez and Marielis Guzman, 199-201 W. Franklin St., $97,000.

Thomas F. McCabe to Scott Family Properties LLC, 1926 Northampton St., $55,000.

Huntington

Albert G. Nugent Jr., and Patricia R. Nugent to Donovan Bros. Inc., Thomas Road, $225,000.

Longmeadow

Amy F. D. Zwaan and Johan T. Zwaan to Alan D. Vibber and Caitlin M. Vibber, 6 Roseland Terrace, $405,000.

Cartus Financial Corp., to Palindrome LLC, 107 Belleclaire Ave., $308,500.

Gregory Dumeny to Sandra Coens, 635 Laurel St., $329,900.

Jeffrey A. Bellendir, Cecilia H. Bellendir and Cecilia H. Tomac to Cartus Financial Corp., 107 Belleclaire Ave., $308,500.

John R. Vogel and Elizabeth S. Vogel to Gregory Dumeny, 1112 Williams St., $375,000.

Kristen S. Shejen and Matthew S. Shejen to Muhammad A. Razzaq, 1657 Longmeadow St., $475,000.

Ludlow

Alan R. Kotowicz to Gerald E. Ratelle II, and Helena B. Ratelle, 308 Miller St., #33, $310,000.

Atwater Investors Inc., to Luann T. Trigo, 353 Fuller St., Unit 13, $249,900.

Cathlene P. Sares to Richard Salvarezza, 90 Chapin Greene Drive, Unit 90, $168,500.

Eugene B. Labrecque, Fay E. Labrecque and Faye E. Labrecque to Jessica L. Janes, 546 Fuller St., $249,000.

Fernando Pio and Joaquina R. Pio to Mary C. Gero, 41 Arch St., $244,000.

Jared A. Rondeau and Jessica Rondeau to Ibrahaim Yanbul and Kukus Topcu, 76 Moody St., $180,500.

Katherine M. Cardinale to David W. Martins, 28 Mclean Parkway, $110,000.

Lavoie Development Corp., to Cathlene Sares, 517 Ideal Lane, Unit 605, $270,000.

Montague

Helen L. Stotz Irrevocable Real Estate Trust and Russell L. Deane, trustee, to Laura A. Ducharme, 45 Davis St., $166,000.

Lynn R. Ransom to Kevin J. Haley, 91 K Street, $130,000.

Kimberly A. Whitaker and Kimberly W. Giknis to Philip C. Steiger and Margaret E. Steiger, 11 Oakman St., $192,500.

Nancy A. Marshall to Kevin K. Pelissier Jr., 34 Randall Wood Drive, $230,000.

Peoples United Bank, N.A., and Peoples United Bank to Montague Real Estate Trust, Albert A. Lichoulas and Catherine M. Lichoulas, trustees, Millers Fall Road, $43,000.

Montgomery

Albert G. Nugent Jr., and Patricia R. Nugent to Donovan Bros. Inc., Thomas Road, $225,000.

New Salem

Ethel McClenahan to Joshua M. Rapp and Molly A. Rapp, 1 Whitaker Road, $150,000.

Northampton

Casie A. Smith and Joseph M. Debiec to Joanna C. Napolitano, 24 Nutting Ave., $410,000.

Maura L. McCarthy, Erin E. Carey and Breda M. Huntley to Maura L. McCarthy and Erin E. Carey, 12-16 Hatfield St., $103,000.

Kevin Brigham and Dennis Cavaliere to Dominic J. O'Connell and Meghan McCormick, 8 Blackberry Lane, $115,000.

Mary Watroba to Jean A. Alward, 92 Spring St., $217,000.

Specific Vision LLC, to Tresha Thorsen, 4 Center Court, $140,000.

Sandra Matthews, trustee, Matthews Family Trust, Clifford N. Matthews and Sandra Matthews, attorney in fact, to Payal Banerjee, 64 Gothic St., $318,000.

Mary E. Belge and Keri Califano to Jodi Page-Lacoff, 62 Sandy Hill Road, $211,000.

Northfield

Edith M. Smolen Estate and Joanne E. Freeman, personal representative, to Scott and Mary Key 1998 Revocable Living Trust, Scott B. Key, trustee, and Mary Pomroy Key, trustee, $173,500.

Patrick T. Spedding , Shelby M. Spedding and Shelby M. Holton to Matthew F. Robert, 19A Hamilton Drive, $170,000.

Jean L. Galbraith to Robert C. Gale, 502 Mount Hermon Station Road, $224,000.

Orange

Joshua M. Kasuba to Adrian S. Manning and Rebecca D. Manning, 48 Canon Lane, $144,000.

Ricky Piro, Adam Adams, Natasha Adams and Natasha Piro to Mark W. Ross and Cathy A. Preston, 202 Daniel Shay's Highway, $129,000.

Palmer

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency to Aaron Jablonski and Melinda S. Stalnecker, 3060 Palmer St., $135,000.

Elizabeth A. Lasky and John J. Marchelewicz to Jason E. Reome, 109 Thorndike St., $120,000.

John M. Boilard to David S. Anton, 75 Beech St., $219,900.

Krista J. Devine to Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, 8 Countryside Drive, $209,836.

Thomas J. Pelissier and Maureen P. Kirk to Craig H. Bodamer, 114 Belchertown St., $173,000.

Pelham

Christopher E. Pariseau and Amy B. Pariseau to David L. Slovin and Diana M. Demers-Slovin, 51 Buffam Road, $340,000.

Plainfield

Susan Atherton, personal representative, Susan Atherton, Betty Smith and Evelyn L. Guyette, estate, to Wade Guy, 68 Old South Street, Old South Road and Old Glory Road, $100,000.

Russell

Richard N. Holcomb and Bonnie M. Holcomb to Robert F. James, 1025 Westfield Road, $205,000.

Shelburne

Susan D. Lucks to David M. Prevost and Carol M. Giguere, 34 Dragon Hill Road, Unit 34, Dragon Hill Condo, $212,500.

Shutesbury

John V. Scheurich to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 134 Leonard Road, $127,482.

Roberta A. Navon to Edward M. Wesp and Kelly E. Klingensmith, 20 Weatherwood Drive, $395,000.

South Hadley

Andrew Lass and Alexandra Demontrichard-Lass to Garth H. Schwellenbach and Elizabeth H. Schwellenbach, 19 Ashfield Lane, $257,000.

Stephen D. McCray and Linda McCray to Homes By Leblanc Inc., Riverlodge Road, $80,000.

Susan B. Stockman to Patrick J. Sullivan and Tina L. Thompson-Sullivan, 37 College View Heights, $328,000.

Southampton

Judith A. Wing, trustee, and Paul A. Wing & Judith A. Wing, declaration of trust, to Cheryl M. Lamagdeleine, 264 College Highway, $142,000.

Southwick

Christopher E. Johnson and Alison C. Johnson to Francis J. Delmastro, 207 Berkshire Ave., $235,500.

Claire D. Girard to Tomas Kielasinski, 162 Feeding Hills Road, $175,000.

Edwin A. Beckwith to John E. Balesky and Jean A. Balesky, 5 Sodom Mountain Road, $136,000.

Stephen M. Bernath and Judith Stevens Bernath to Christopher E. Johnson and Alison C. Johnson, 130 Vining Hill Road, $350,000.

Suzanne T. Seguin, David H. Dion, Patricia D. Seymour and Michael R. Dion to Jenny L. Cory, 35 Birchwood Road, $190,000.

Springfield

Akif Khan to Christopher G. Petropoulos, 815 Carew St., $43,000.

Bryan W. Vantassel, Wonell Miller and Wonell B. M. Vantassel to Heidi Molina, 143 Almira Road, $107,500.

Charles J. Daraghy to 190 Bowdoin Street Development Inc., Bowdoin Street, $5,500.

Christopher L. Bones to Eric Rivera, 25 Burke St., $147,500.

Christopher Rollins to Eduardo Infante, 22 Pheasant Drive, $206,000.

Curtis M. Mckenzie, representative, and Robert Carl McKenzie, estate, to Nilsa M. Arocho, 112 Mayflower Road, $127,000.

David J. Roffo to Cyclone Enterprises LLC, 83 Campechi St., $132,000.

David P. Fellion Jr., Ashley E. Fellion and Ashley E. Hartwell to Barbara A. Dismuke, 129 Talbot Road, $168,000.

Dr. Elouise Franklin Church Inc., to Jabir R. Jebir, 64-66 Hancock St., $11,000.

Edward M. Wesp and Kelly E. Klingensmith to Alicia Stacy, 45 Perkins St., $165,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Homer J. Foucher, 95 Kensington Ave., $50,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to James E. Menard, 197 Mallowhill Road, $152,000.

James Pirro, estate, Martha Pirro, representative, Philomena Gajda and Joanne Lucas to Joanna Torres, 588-590 Armory St., $175,000.

James W. Fiore to Christopher Santiago, 141 Avery St., $81,500.

John V. B. Toner to Colburn Realty LLC, 17 Yorktown Drive, $133,000.

Karen A. Stanton and Daniel J. Carnevale to Willie Reed, 12 Parallel St., $69,000.

Kenneth Fitzgibbon, receiver, Springfield City Code Enforcement Housing and Cirilo T. Santos to Kenneth Fitzgibbon, 197-199 White St., $125,000.

Kenneth Fitzgibbon to Hallerin Realty LLP, 197-199 White St., $125,000.

Kenneth M. Robbins and Nancy F. Robbins to Judith M. Kelly, 44 Piedmont St., $142,000.

Kevin J. Conway and Lawrence E. Conway to Francisco Javier Luna, 83 Oklahoma St., $166,000.

Lawrence F. Adona and Catherine C. Adona to Migdalia Rivera Ortiz and Juan A. Maldonado Morales, 156 Garland St., $133,900.

Marsha J. Harvey to Anthony B. Foster and Vanessa R. Foster, 21 Ramblewood Drive, $120,000.

Matthew S. Burzdak and Amy L. Burzdak to Lee A. Chenette, 64 Rochford Circle, $165,000.

Michael J. Manzi to Clenys Aybar and Jose R. Abreu, 99-101 East Alvord St., $113,827.

Patricia M. Bonneau, representative, and Eunice R. Bousquet, estate, to Chester Sulborski III, 112 Eddy St., $85,000.

Patricia M. Collins to Karen M. Hoyt, 21 Utica St., $110,000.

Pedro P. Pereira and Maria I. Pereira to Laurence J. Barker and Debra J. Barker, 37-39 Lyons St., $149,900.

Pennymac Corp., to Tuan Q. Truong, 37 Groveland St., $66,000.

Sandra J. Ciurleo and Silvio Ciurleo to Thomas M. Murphy and Paula C. Murphy, 81 Signal Hill Circle, $230,000.

Tok Chang to Olga Orbe, 43 Thetford St., $140,000.

Valerie Bigelow to Samantha Castaneda, 86 Timothy Circle, $115,000.

Sunderland

Michael S. Burke and Isabella Burke to Joseph A. Manning and Jillian B. Manning, 230 Plumtree Road and 230 Plumbtree Road, $285,000.

Wales

Eric C. Haley to Joseph Ouellet, 22 Henry Road, $3,000.

Paula M. Smola and Paula A. Smola to Shawn M. Connery, 43 Hollow Road, $170,000.

Ware

Karen A. Rice, Ellen M. Concannon and Susan M. Luz to Kathryn Jean Heymann and Kathryn Heymann, 20 Highland St., $142,000.

Wells Fargo Bank NA, trustee, Option One Mortgage Loan Trust, and OCWEN Loan Servicing LLC, attorney in fact, to Chris Azzi, 9-17 Canal St., $102,000.

Paul R. Laclair, personal representative, and Jean Paul Courchesne, estate, to Paul R. Laclair, 18 Crescent St., $100.

June E. Henrich to Michael T. Huse, 332 Palmer Road, $145,000.

Christopher Proulx, Serena Proulx and Serena Thibodeau to Juan J. Ayala and Amra Dizdarevic, 2 Desantis Drive, $224,500.

Malden Real Estate Development LLC, to ADGA Realty LLC, 75 East St., $100.

William H. Dame to David Desabrais, 4 King Circle, $136,000.

Wendell

Paul S. Monroe Estate, Douglas R. Monroe, personal representative, to Damien T. McNally and Kimberly S. Sobieski, 170 Locke Hill Road, $350,000.

West Springfield

Beech Hill Construction Inc., to John B. Murray Jr., 78 Beech Hill Road, Unit #34, $325,000.

David M. Barkman and Kate J. Barkman to Rebecca L. Geary, 1047 Amostown Road, $281,000.

John P. Bartolucci, John Bartolucci and Doris Bartolucci to Ronald P. Campurciani and Delilah E. Campurciani, 175 Jeffrey Lane, $421,500.

Lidia R. Looney, Daniel R. Costa and Marcia R. Costa to Thomas E. Burdett and Kathleen Burdett, 579 Kings Highway, $175,000.

Peter J. Higgins and Kathleen A. Higgins to David M. Barkman and Kate J. Barkman, 49 Harbey Road, $375,000.

Ronald P. Campurciani and Delilah E. Campurciani to Alan E. Mark and Shirley D. Mark, 438 Rogers Ave., $295,000.

Russell T. Salvatore and Jennifer M. Salvatore to Kelly J. Pettazzoni and Christopher A. Pettazzoni, 34 Exeter St., $185,900.

S&C Homebuyers LLC, to Ramsey Hillman and Carline Hillman, 171 Morton St., $210,000.

Samuel Paul Orlando to Derek Fu, 46 Norman St., $87,900.

Westfield

Dorothy Foley, representative, and James J. Curran, estate, to Renzhen Yang and Lixian Dong, 43 Court St., $195,000.

Edward F. Cassell III, and Heidi A. Cassell to Michael P. Keenan, 18 Chestnut St., $183,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Douglas Brown, 18 Pumpkin Lane, Unit A, $132,500.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Kathleen Benoit, 88 Woodmont St., $108,500.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Pedro Leon, 32 Denise Drive, $140,000.

Gary L. Masotti to Paul St. Pierre, 254 Hampden Ave., $40,000.

John J. Zarkowski to Dennis B. Orser and Barbara A. Orser, 10 Westwood Drive, $215,000.

Kevin J. Charland to Jason E. Loring, 22 Knollwood Drive, $234,000.

Martin W. Connolly and Cheryl A. Connolly to Edward F. Cassell III, and Heidi A. Cassell, 53 Spruce St., $199,900.

Mary E. Quesnel, Maureen A. Kaminski, Joanne E. Duga and Kathryn E. Laplante to Rebecca L. Kreke, 96 West Silver St., $190,000.

Nadia M. Baral and Nadia M. Metras to Tara A. Satkowski, 555 Russell Road, Unit C15, $93,000.

Nicole M. Graves to Jeremy R. Blackwelder, 5 A Westminster St., $109,000.

Nora E. Coach, representative, and Stacia M. Kendzior, estate, to Joseph Pugliese, 74 Otis St., $116,000.

Robin Chaloux and Paul Robinson to Pavel Hancharonak and Maryia Hancharonak, 24 Kristen Lane, $275,000.

USA Housing & Urban Development to John Ciampaglia and Marie Ciampaglia, 11 Livingstone Ave., $105,770.

Thomas F. Costella, Christina L. Costella, Thomas F. Costello and Christina L. Costello to Kristen M. Pighetti and Judith A. Stewart, 10 Waterford Drive, $385,000.

Whately

Alan D. Tilton and Gail G. Tilton to Joshua H. Clemons and Alicia A. Clemons, 43 Webber Road, $227,000.

Wilbraham

Dean A. Helm and Amie L. Helm to Christine Lessard, 591 Glendale Road, $315,000.

Robert A. Fleury, Elliot E. Fleury and Elliott E. Fleury to Agnieszka Swistak, 7 Rochford Drive, $218,000.

William H. Kenyon and Donna M. Kenyon to Susan H. Parker, 1039 Tinkham Road, $232,000.

Dow drops 290 points on fears about slowing global growth

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Bonds rallied as investors sought safety.

By BERNARD CONDON

NEW YORK -- Fears over slowing global growth hammered stocks in the U.S. and Europe on Friday and lifted prices of government bonds and other assets seen as safer bets.

The selling pushed down major stock indexes in Germany, France and Britain before spreading to the U.S. The Standard and Poor's 500 index slumped to its biggest loss in more than two weeks as all 10 industry sectors of the broad market gauge fell. Energy companies dropped the most as oil plunged.

The stock sell-off came a day after the Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates near zero. That means borrowing costs will remain low for a while yet, a prospect that has in the past typically boosted stocks. But some investors, expecting the Fed would be confident enough to nudge rates up by at least a quarter of a point, interpreted the stance as a sign that the global economy is dangerously weak.

"If growth in the strongest economy -- the United States -- isn't strong enough to raise rates even a quarter of a point, what does that say about the prospects for global growth?" said Bill Strazzullo, chief strategist at market research firm Bell Curve Trading.

The Fed has kept its benchmark rate close to zero for almost seven years. In that time, U.S. stocks have nearly tripled from their financial crisis low. The Fed meets again next month and in December.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended down 290.16 points, or 1.7 percent, to 16,384.58. The S&P 500 slumped 32.17 points, or 1.6 percent, to 1,958.03 and the Nasdaq composite shed 66.72 points, or 1.4 percent, to 4,827.23.

Bonds rallied as investors sought safety. The benchmark 10-year Treasury note gained, pushing down its yield to 2.13 percent. Gold also gained.

A gauge of investor fear, the VIX index, shot up 7 percent to 23. In early July, this measure of expected swings in stock prices was 12.

In its rate decision Thursday, the Fed cited low inflation, weakness in the global economy and unsettled financial markets. Investors have been on edge about a slowdown in China and other emerging market nations since last month. The S&P 500 index is down about 8 percent from its record close of 2,130.82 set in May.

UBS strategist Julian Emanuel said a mix of other factors may have also fed the selling Friday.

Investors are worried about third-quarter corporate earnings, which are forecast to drop 4 percent for companies in the S&P 500. Also, several dozen House Republicans have said they won't vote for a funding bill that includes money for Planned Parenthood, raising the specter of a government shutdown next month.

"When you add up the Fed, China, the cloudy earnings outlook and, and possibly of government shutdown, it's not a surprise that the market has had a defensive reaction," Emanuel said.

In Europe, Germany's DAX fell 3.1 percent while the CAC-40 in France dropped 2.6 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 ended the day 1.3 percent lower.

Among U.S. stocks making big moves, JPMorgan Chase fell $1.71, or 2.7 percent, to $60.94 as investors judged that lower interest rates for longer mean banks won't be able charge more for loans. Citigroup slumped $1.36, or 2.6 percent, $50.29.

La Quinta plunged $2.92, or 15 percent, to $16.05 after the hotel company announced late Thursday that its CEO Wayne Goldberg had stepped down after almost a decade in charge. The company also lowered its 2015 sales forecast due to weak demand in August and September.

In metals trading, the price of gold rose $20.80 to $1,137 an ounce. Silver climbed 17.9 cents to $15.16 an ounce and Copper fell 6.6 cents to $2.39 per pound.

The price of oil plunged over concerns that demand for crude could weaken if the global economy slows. U.S. oil dropped $2.22, or 4.7 percent, to $44.68 per barrel. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell $1.61, or 3.3 percent, to $47.47 per barrel in London.

In other energy futures trading:

  1. Wholesale gasoline fell 2 cents to $1.356 per gallon.
  2. Heating oil slipped 3.9 cents to $1.491 per gallon.
  3. Natural gas fell 4.7 cents to $2.605 per 1,000 cubic feet.

Berkshire County native Shannon Young joins The Republican as new politics reporter

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The Republican in Springfield, Massachusetts has hired Shannon Young as the new politics reporter, delivering thorough reports on state and national politics, as well as casinos.

SPRINGFIELD — With an eye toward the 2016 presidential race and all the Massachusetts political issues that matter, The Republican has hired Berkshire County native Shannon Young to join the public affairs reporting team.

Shannon YoungShannon K. Young, politics reporter for The Republican. 

Young, who was raised in Lanesborough, spent the past three years covering state politics for Gongwer News Service in Columbus, Ohio. She has also held statehouse reporting positions with the Associated Press in Boston and Hartford, Connecticut, and she covered congressional politics for the Nashua Telegraph in New Hampshire.

"As a Western Massachusetts native, I'm excited to join The Republican staff and report on issues that affect the region," Young said.

Young holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Boston University, and she joins the news team as MassLive's digital presence and readership continue to grow and set new records.

Wayne Phaneuf, executive editor of The Republican, said he was excited to have Young join the political team.

"We are confident that Shannon will add to The Republican and MassLive's efforts to continue to present thoughtful and comprehensive political coverage to our readers," Phaneuf said.

Young will work hand-in-hand with The Republican's statehouse reporter Shira Schoenberg and MassLive's Boston reporter Gintautas Dumcius. She takes over for Robert Rizzuto, who in May was promoted to assistant managing editor of digital and multimedia efforts in the newsroom.

"Shannon has already hit the ground running and I'm confident she will continue our tradition of reporting politics and casino news in Massachusetts better than the competition," Rizzuto said. "Along with Shira and Gin, the team is going to build upon our past successes and continue to raise the bar with our reporting efforts, all with the aim of giving our readers the highest quality politics news in the Bay State."

Young will work under Lu Feorino, the editor in charge of the organization's politics reporting team, as well as Rizzuto and Managing Editor Joe Deburro.

To reach Young, send an email to syoung@repub.com.

Real estate transactions for Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties, September 20, 2015 edition

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Deeds in Pioneer Valley

Agawam

Brendon M. Murray to Katherine A. Bitzas and George Bitzas, 15 Sunset Terrace, $224,000.

Donald E. Webb, representative, Barbara S. Webb, estate, and Barbara S. Frederickson, estate, to Double D Investments LLC, 870 North St., $110,000.

Marjorie E. Robertson, Susan R. Alexander and Cynthia A. Robertson to Walter Hollinger and Sandra A. Hollinger, 26 Castle Hills Road Unit F, $221,000.

Mark S. Higgins and Debra J. Higgins to Gina A. Donovan, 3 One If By Land, $255,000.

Paul G. Byrne to Stateline Realty LLC, 638 Springfield St., $180,000.

Richard N. Lapierre to Daniel L. Montagna, 24 Agnoli Place, $139,500.

Tomas Kielasinski to Rachel Ann Vaselacopoulos, 33 Sheri Lane, $110,000.

Amherst

Jennifer E. Booker, trustee, and Jennifer E. Booker Revocable Trust, to Jae-Hwang Lee and Hye-Young Kim, 42 Hartman Road, $345,000.

Nancy E. Slator and Daniel G. Grubbs to Leela J. Joy, 58 Stanley St., $165,000.

Ellen B. Eagan, Timothy Eagan, Sean Eagan, Molly Eagan, Patrick L. Eagan and Timothy P. Eagan to Wendy J. Hogans and Richard K. Hogans, 170 Columbia Drive, $268,000.

Katherine M. Arms and Peter Smerdon to Jeremy E. Woo and Vivian Wang, 26 Salem Place, $167,000.

Ashfield

Barbara A. Munro to Matthew D. Ciaschini, 230 South Ashfield Road, $287,000.

Belchertown

Jeannine R. Berger to Beth M. Spencer, 140 Summit St., $203,000.

Leonard G. Abraham to David Cohen and Marilye Anne Cohen, 340 Mill Valley Road, $283,000.

Kiawa Krzcuik and Tammy L. Krzcuik to Jameson Gaspar and Angela Gaspar, 47 Segur Lane, $330,000.

Gabriela V. Delgadillo and Guillermo Fernando Finot to Shawn R. Adams, 40 Ware Road, $170,100.

Nancy W. Eckert, Susan Walas, Henry J. Walas Jr., personal representative,Irene A. Walas, estate, and Jayne M. Walas to Henry J. Walas Jr., 881 Federal St., $190,000.

Pamela A. Letendre to Alexander Tuohy, 22 Clearbrook Drive, $228,000.

Craig H. Bodamer, Kim Rotti Youngren and Kim Youngren to Jason R. Ballou and Kayla F. Ballou, 334 North Liberty St., $305,100.

Ronald R. Barnes Jr., Randy Barnes and Elizabeth Ann Barnes to Elizabeth Ann Barnes, 23 Clearbrook Drive, $100.

Elizabeth Ann Barnes to Ahmed Gonzalez and Zoraia De Jesus Barros, 23 Clearbrook Drive, $220,000.

Bernardston

Ronald R. Scherer and Leona N. Scherer to Paul F. DeSantis and Joan C. DeSantis, 148 Shaw Road, $295,275.

Buckland

Elaine N. Diallo to Thomas C. Dame and Denise M. Duval, 3 Stone Road, $25,000.

Chicopee

Charles E. Proulx to Nathan Zyla, 77 Manning St., $141,000.

Christine L. Lessard and Christine L. McCollum to Owen Graves, 301 Britton St., $193,000.

Clare E. Ryan to Lisa Karlin, 162 Greenwood Terrace, Unit 6018B, $94,900.

Donna D. Buendo, representative, Geraldine Cain and Helen Catherine Buendo, estate, to Daniel W. Goggins and Lisa J. Goggins, 97 South St., $59,000.

Gary J. Majewicz to David B. Kelliher and Monica M. Kelliher, 162 Arcade St., $186,000.

Hope Rodriguez to Daniel M. Kane and Helene M. Kane, 82 Outer Drive, Unit N21, $132,000.

James Banas and Karen Banas to Maggie L. Krawczyk, 49 Sunnymeade Ave., $159,900.

Jeffrey D. Pike and Jennifer A. Pike to Antonio Morgado and Maria Morgado, 40 Francis St., $128,250.

Jessica J. Damours, Daniel J. Damours and Jessica J. Brown to Timothy M. Howell, 16 Dejordy Lane, $315,000.

Kathleen M. Gaouette to Soren W. Johnson and Adero K. Willard, 158 College St., $180,000.

Leo A. Desmarais, representative, and Emma F. Desmarais, estate, to Joan Maciver, 425 New Ludlow Road, $72,500.

Leonard Chapdelaine and Suzanne Chapdelaine to William A. Carriveau, 45 Coolidge Road, $209,000.

Nello Grassetti and Pam Grassetti to Paul S. Veresko and Norma T. Veresko, life estate, 99 Mitchell Drive, $110,000.

Piotr K. Dalman and Irena Dalman to Helen Ann Ahern, 104 Johnson Road, Unit 1002, $147,600.

R C S Properties LLC, to 1890 Chicopee LLC, 154 School St., $185,000.

Robert O'Brien, representative, and Ruth E. Croteau, estate, to Kevin P. Morris, trustee, and M A K P Trust, trust of, 134 Partridge Lane, $95,000.

Serena T. Pease and Serena T. Cieplinski to Jorge Morgado, trustee, Marco Morgado, trustee, and Morgado School Street Realty Trust, trust of, 192-194 School St., $215,000.

Sharon A. Torres and Melissa Phillips to Basia Belz, 80 Colonial Circle, Unit C, $69,000.

Stacia S Stadnicki to Julian Soja and Cecylia Soja, 57 Rzasa Dr, $189,000.

Tamika A. Scarbo to Meaghan M. Knightly, 72 Lynwood Drive, Unit 6014A, $97,000.

Teresa Blask to Naz Naji and Samina Naz Butt, 8 Caddyshack Drive, $256,500.

U S Bank, trustee, to Keem LLC, 161 Vadnais St., $76,500.

Yelena Ivanov to Kenneth R. Tessier, 199 Hampden St., $230,000.

Deerfield

Edwin J. Urkiel to Stephen de Bruyn Kops and Julie Chalfant, South Mill River Road, $10,000.

Carol A. Pratt to David V. Pratt, 164 Conway Road, $100.

Jean Elizabeth Henskens, Mary Susan Smiaroski, Neal Edward Smiaroski and Paul Michael Smiaroski to Brian M. Stoll and Robin Venditti Stoll, 2B Meadow Oak Lane, Unit 1, Meadow Oak Condominiums, $189,000.

East Longmeadow

Hasbro Inc., to Cartamundi East Longmeadow LLC, Industrial Drive, $19,426,597.

Susan J. Netter to Thomas C. Rand, 43 Windsor Lane, $345,000.

Easthampton

Ann Marie Malinowski to John P. Regish and Terri A. Delaney, 192 East St., $225,000.

Kevin Riordon and Ellen S. Riordon to Michael R. Keefe and Jessica L. Keefe, 20 Torrey St., $296,000.

Arthur J. Franz and Marilyn J. Schmidt to Leslie Horner Button and James Leroy Button III, 5 Fox Run, $425,000.

Mt. Tom Development Corp., to Arthur J. Franz and Marilyn J. Schmidt, 311 East St., $279,900.

Brenda Krumpholz, trustee, Alice M. Tougas Irrevocable Trust, and Alice M. Tougas to Francine S. Murphy and Mark A. Murphy, 42 Campbell Drive, $186,500.

Emily E. Casella, Sean E. Casella, Emily E. Davis and Emily Casella to Ralph R. Morton and Cheryl A. Morton, 23 East Maple St., $189,000.

Matthew C. Brewster and Tara T. Brewster to Cynthia W. Peltier, 211 East St., $218,000.

Czelusniak Custom Homes Inc., to Eric J. Grenier and Bonnie P. Grenier, 11 and 13 Kingsberry Way, $359,000.

Eliza Lake and Bartholomew Niswonger to Hunter S. Keil and Ellen C. Schramm, 35 Fort Hill Road, $320,000.

Christopher J. Gottardi and Heather A. Latour to Joseph M. Palombella and Emilia P. Houghton, 64 Highland Ave., $260,500.

Erik A. Karella and Erin L. Karella to Malinda S. Lovic and Benjamin S. Lesko, 21 Lyman Ave., $225,000.

Granby

Linda R. Courchesne, personal representative, James I. Ingham, estate, and Linda R. Courchesne to Joseph L. Larrivee and Mary E. Larrivee, 12 Pheasant Hill, $120,000.

Edward H. Parker and Ramona M. Parker to Steven Pomeranz and Elizabeth D. Rose, 310 Amherst St., $492,950.

Jean C. Peloquin Sr., to Pierre Jacques and Deborah B. Jacques, 93 Carver St., $364,900.

Raymond J. Mackenzie and Shirley R. Mackenzie to Clifton C. Ting and Maria L. Ting, 284 Taylor St., $419,000.

Dorothy I. Plante to Debra M. Ironside, 24 North St., $100.

Granville

Jerry E. Yates, Cynthia L. McCarthy and Ernest Jereld Yates to Granville Town, 48 Barnard Road, $35,000.

Kathleen M. Kellogg and Kathleen M. Hubbard to Emily J. Brunet, 567 South Lane, $257,000.

Greenfield

Pushkin, LLC to JEBCO Realty Associates, LLC, 332 Main Street and 4 Federal St., $405,000.

Stacey G. Begg and Nancy M. Bennett to Robyn J. Harris, 17 Madison Circle, $163,000.

Arlene S. Brissette to Mark R. Lavin, 8 Princeton Terrace, Unit 8, Meadowview Manor Condominium, $99,500.

Ramona A. Tomlinson to John H. Howland and Phelicia A. Howland, 452 South Shelburne Road, $650,000.

Kathy L. Teece to Eyewink, LLC, 12 Kenwood St., $100.

Larry K. Franks and Susan A. Franks to John B. Glabach and Jacqueline M. Glabach, 47 Norwood St., $229,000.

Renee Y. Dumas to Nancy L. Swanson, 65A Fairview St., Unit 17A, Pine Hill Park Condominiums, $158,000.

Joe M. Flores and Michelle Urban Flores to Corey R. Dunn and Renee Y. Dumas, 77 Homestead Ave., $255,900.

Thomas L. Caron and Susan M. Caron to Constantin Covalenco and Tamara Covalenco, 248 Wells St., $172,000.

Hadley

Christine A. Lynch to Jaime A. Lavallee, 7 Norwottuck Drive, $200,000.

Hatfield

Robert J. Gardner to Ann Marie Sicard, Mary Ellen Jacques and Christopher L. Lebeau, 115 Elm St., $254,000.

Mark R. Scott, Mark R. Scott, conservator, Katherine Beers Cook Scott, estate, and Katherine Cook Scott, estate, to Brendan R. Johnson and Shawn P. Johnson, 476 Main St., $330,000.

Holland

31 Shore Drive LLC, to Douglas W. Kroncke and Olivia Kroncke, 31 Shore Drive, $370,500.

John P. Briere and Jennifer A. Briere to Nadine C. Casey, 19 Sandy Beach Road, $448,000.

Thomas J. Crouse and Cheryl A. Crouse to Joseph M. Yiznitsky and Sheena I. Yiznitsky, 293 Stafford Road, $250,000.

Holyoke

Angelo N. Rota, representative, and Nello Rota, estate, to David Mackey, 85 Norwood Terrace, $81,000.

Brendan M. Landers, Brenden M. Landers and Lily M. Newman to Edmund T. Sosnoski and Erin R. Sosnoski, 693 West Cherry St., $220,500.

Christine M. Munro to Therese L. Williams, 104 Brookline Ave., $157,000.

Enola Nelson to Marie-Volcy Pelletier, Marie Voley Pelletier and Joel L. Pichon, 53 Fairfield Ave., $315,000.

Howard A. Swaby to Vilmarie Bermudez, Raul Bermudez and Raul A. Bermudez Sr., 51 Homestead Ave., $144,000.

Jozef M. Orszulak to John Biela and Eileen Biela, 11-13 Elmwood Ave., $157,500.

Juan Mercado and Migdalia Mercado to Ysaaca Axelrod, Ysaaca D. Axelrod and Peter Colon, 313 Linden St., $105,000.

Marc J. Stanislas and Amanda J. Stanislas to Corey M. Holmes and Saramarie M. Asher-Holmes, 121-123 Westfield Road, $192,000.

Maria M. Rosario to Raymond E. Dufresne, 36D Saint Kolbe Drive, Unit 36D, $70,000.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., to Scott Forest, 133 Allyn St., $115,000.

Huntington

Pierre Jacques and Deborah B. Jacques to Robert J. Boyer III, and Alicia L. Boyer, 6 Lowell Lane, $293,000.

Michael T. Morgan and Kim M. Morgan to 12 Aldrich Avenue Land Trust, and Heart & Home Realty LLC, trustee, 12 Aldrich Ave., $100,000.

Timothy J. Seney to Robert Paquette and Kathleen S. Paquette, 45 County Road, $273,500.

Dennis M. Robare and Ruth A. Robare to Alyshia Horvath and Travis Wolfe, 62 Searle Road, $280,000.

Kathie A. Morrison to Mark Richard Scott, 69 Bromley Road, $229,000.

Leverett

Fredric L. Cheyette Grandchildren's Trust, Oren N. Cheyette, individually and trustee, and Dina Cheyette to Annette B. Wysocki, 119 Shutesbury Road, $340,000.

William C. Starkweather and Llan Starkweather to Andrew J. Starkweather, 253 Long Plain Road, $272,600.

Longmeadow

Brian R. Curran Jr., and Cherie Curran to Christine Spelman, 75 Colton Place, $274,900.

Joel L. Pitchon and Marie-Volcy Pelletier to Lavy Kosofsky and Chaya Kosofsky, 63 Oakwood Drive, $289,000.

Nancy A. Collins to David G. Chapdelaine, 75 Pioneer Drive, $215,000.

Sandra L. Rose, representative, Jeffrey W. Roberts, representative, and Elaine Becker, estate, to Carl A. Nelson, 43 Morgan Ridge, Unit 303, $275,000.

Todd A. Biggs and Aimee Biggs to Christine A. Rigali, 267 Williams St, $235,000.

Ludlow

Andrea Hevey to Debra J. Higgins, 665 Center St., Unit 601, $183,750.

Jozef Wegiel to Isabel M. Barroso, 45 Waters Edge Drive, $173,000.

Middlefield

Douglas F. Robare and Janina F. Robare to Leslie Blake-Davis, 71 West Hill Road, $200,000.

Monson

Gail A. Sanderson to Robert S. Thibodeau and Donna R. Thibodeau, 255 Main St., $240,000.

I-Buysellhomes LLC, to Heather A. Morse, 30 Washington St., $170,500.

Laura J. Wright to Eric Raymond, 174 Wales Road, $243,500.

Mary Ann Mylanokis and Mary Ann Mylonokis to Timothy F. Savage, 34 Thayer Road, $235,000.

Rosemary Florentino and Rosemary F. Hurley to James P. Bailey and Leopold J. Bailey, 221 Cedar Swamp Road, $20,000.

Montague

O'Brien Investment Trust, Sharon H. O'Brien, trustee, to William Kazmier, Jessica Kazmier Alan M. Weinberg and Rosalie H. Weinberg, 35 East Taylor Hill Road, $248,000.

George A. Gutierrez and Alison M. Gutierrez to Adam J. Kleeberg and Jessica L. Kleeberg, 32 Randall Road, $180,000.

Northampton

Gretna Green Development Corp., to Isobel A. McMahon and Caroline E. Raisler, 3-5 Wright Ave., $125,000.

Joanna L. M. Jordan to Timothy P. Miner and Eleanor K. Berch-Heyman, 540 Bridge Road, $277,000.

Phillip J. Pilewski, Anne B. Pilewski and Anie B. Pilewski to Kevin M. Riordon and Ellen S. Riordon, 726 Park Hill Road, $395,000.

Margaret M. Garrett, Richard Garrett and Cynthia Garrett to Lisa Laprade, 101 Bridge Road, $196,000.

Lillian Miranda to Richard P. Parrish and Wendy M. Parrish, 138 South St., $499,000.

Frank P. Willard to Kevin Brigham and Dennis Cavaliere, 64 Ridgewood Terrace, $435,000.

Aaron O. Patrick to Laura Tate Beltran and Gerald W. Beltran, 51 Loudville Road, $534,900.

Richard R. Rescia, trustee, Helen C. Rescia, trutee, Kari S. Knapp, trustee, and Standick Trust, to Smith College and Trustees of Smith College, 43 West St., $937,500.

Alexa Beach, Alexa Fletcher, Marta Rudolph and Margaret E. Eisenhouer to Marisela A. Fermin-Schon and Jacob O. Grindal, 55 Lincoln Ave., $321,000.

Lawrence G. Emerson, trustee, and Bill and Marie G. Emerson Revocable Trust, to Jae McAuley, 200 North Elm St., $280,000.

Amy T. Bedell to D. Murphy Properties LLC, 28-30 Elizabeth St., $297,500.

Stephen B. Edwards and Barbara K. Edwards to Tara T. Brewster and Matthew C. Brewster, 67 Chestnut St., $368,000.

Transformations Inc., to Felix E. Margolin and Liming Liu, 21 Laurel St., $390,365.

Robin Jean Wood, Gary Francis Wood and Linda Jane Midolo to Keith W. Miller and Ashley G. Miller, 532 Bridge Road, $229,900.

Lee David Piscioner and Jean B. Candol to Charles E. Bell and Pamela J. Bell, 575 Bridge St., $153,000.

Barbara A. Grissom, personal representative, and Bertha V. Galusza, estate, to Andrea L. James and Eric M. Spangenthal, 67 Beacon St., $312,000.

Joseph F. Perez to Charlotte R. Richards, 26 Crescent St., $175,000.

Carol J. Robinson to Danica Marie Phelps, 5-9 Hockanum Road, $489,900.

Gerald R. Archambault, personal representative, and Gerald R. Archambault Sr., estate, to Elizabeth A. Armstrong and Stacey A. Dakai, 150 North St., $368,000.

Daniel E. Hewins and Karen B. Lroche to Marueen A. McMahon, 1504 Westhampton Road, $210,000.

Orange

Dale Averill and Dale Averill Robinson to Anthony Cutaia, 114 South Main St., $13,000.

MT Martin Real Estate Holding, LLC to Mary T. Martin Irrevocable Trust, 131 Fairman Road, $5,000.

Noel Vinvent and Zita Rasid to Gary P. Croxford and Edith K. Croxford, 162 Chase St., $249,000.

Palmer

Amy B. Kelleher and Amy B. Prouty to Douglas H. Robinson, 99 Belanger St., $108,500.

Benjamin J. Table to George Frangenes, 3106 South Main St., $50,000.

Clara C. Opielowski to Abbie M. Valadares, 3157 South Main St., $75,000.

Cynthia A. Connell and Cynthia A. Burt to Gregory A. King, 200 Breckenridge St., $150,000.

Lionel G. Pilon and Janice A. Pilon to Paul J. Novinsky, 76 St John St., $195,000.

M G Investments LLC, to Hector Quiles, Fuller St., $72,000.

Nationstar Mortgage LLC, to Austin Collins, 10-12 Fox St., $80,514.

Randy R. Sheldon to Bayview Loan Servicing LLC, 2 Carter St., $147,478.

Pelham

Shawn R. Adams to William A. Wright and Jessica G. Barr, 11B Bray Court and Bray Street, $260,500.

Shutesbury

Wendy Pearson to Jason Pizzollo and Amanda W. Pizzollo, 404 Pelham Hill Road, $156,000.

South Hadley

Chester A. Pupek, Diane Lynch and Diane Lynch, attorney in fact, to Douglass R. Baker and Lisa Maloney Baker, 10 Karen Drive, $155,000.

Western Massachusetts Training Consortium Inc., to Scott K. Jarry and Natasha Jarry, 79 Granby Road, $224,000.

Carrie R. Ingham and Carrie R. Grabowski to Brendan M. Landers and Lily M. Newman, 21 Cedar Ridge, $405,000.

Robert V. Dilisio and Kelli Ryan Dilisio to Matthew S. Bertuzzi and Allison L. Hirschowitz, Woodbridge Street, $6,225.

Thomas A. Morin and Marie H. Morin to Larry E. Butler and Sara A. Butler, 149 Pine Grove Drive, $255,000.

Bonnie Quenneville, Wayne Reardon and Philip H. Reardon to Wyatt B. Couture, 12 Lakeview Ave., $162,000.

Gloria Cohen to Mark A. Cohen and Jane Cohen, 39 West Summit St., $160,000.

Elizabeth M. Buelow, Elizabeth M. Lane and Gary J. Beulow Sr., to Sally Granada, 113 Lyman St., $209,000.

Andrew H. Fulmer, Lorenzo Macaluso, Peter A. Degenhardt and Alfred Peter Degenhardt to Mary Miller, Mary Corinne Miller, David Miller and Debora Miller, 526 Amherst Road, $172,500.

Daniel G. Laprade and Mary Lou Laprade to Lindsay A. Byrne and Barbara J. Irving, 48 McKinley Ave., $190,000.

Francis E. Collins, trustee, Francis E. Collins, executor, and Walter F. Lizak, estate, to Glen A. Hupfer, trustee, and G & A Realty Trust, 14 Lakeview Ave., $120,000.

Southampton

Edward F. Podlovits and Helga Simpson to Frederick R. Brenda III, and Leah R. Brenda, 84 Russellville Road, $342,500.

Richard L. Truehart Jr., trustee, Cathy D. Truehart, trustee, and Richard L. Truehart Jr., Living Trust, to Timothy R. Bowman and Karen M. Bowman, Birchwood Drive, $25,000.

Robert Paquette and Kathleen S. Paquette to Matthew J. Provencal and Elizabeth A. Provencal, 110 Whiteloaf Road, $345,000.

Daniel T. Towse and Allison S. Wheatley to Bruce R. Butman and Toni K. Butman, 124 East St., $218,000.

Southwick

Alan D. Bryant and Janine A. Bryant to Jeanne M. Keller, 45 South View Drive, Unit 45, $220,000.

Francis J. Delmastro to Kris Abelin and Christine Abelin, 27 Mort Vining Road, $266,900.

Gary Palmer and Lorraine Palmer to Robert J. Desnoyers and Susan K. Desnoyers, 161 South Loomis St., $439,000.

Springfield

360 Federal Credit Union to Saw Construction LLC, 14-16 Milton St., $55,100.

Albert J. Jones, estate, and Gwendolyn L. Powell, representative, to Hedge Hog Industries Corp., 79 Mapledell St., $42,000.

Annamaria C. Roberson and Alessandra Roberson to Joanna Orszulak, 91 Connecticut Ave., $120,000.

Antoinette L. Makrianis, Tricia M. Tice and Tricia D. Makrianis to Lauren Gougeon, 50 Nassau Drive, $122,000.

Cynthia A. Stelma, representative, and Robert A. Hackett, estate, to Earl L. Andrews, 26 Greenacre Square, $50,000.

Cynthia L. Visi to Annamaria C. Roberson, 130 Winton St., $134,000.

Deborah Tracy to Matthew J. Condon and Jamie K. Cullen, 12 Baird Road, $189,000.

Deluca Development Corp., to Iris M. Cruz, 77 Aberdeen Road, $112,700.

Diane C. Moriarty to Robert Pafumi Jr., Oak St., $30,000.

Diem Doan to Kenneth L. Fitzgibbon and Kathleen L. Powers, 272 Hartwick St., $170,000.

Donald F. Cameron Jr., representative, and Theresa B. Cameron, estate, to Stephen Ray Garza and Melissa Garza, 69 Kingsley St., $85,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Jacquelyn M. Jeffery, 99 Agnes St., $90,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Jorge L. Santiago, 225 Merrimac Ave., $100,500.

Frances H. Prendergast and Edward F. Prendergast to Ryan J. McDowell and John F. McDowell, 380 Tinkham Road, $215,000.

Gary P. Shannon, representative, and David T. Tyburski, estate, to Stone Soul Inc., 41-45 Colton St., $126,500.

Glenn L. Purple, representative, and Martha E. Purple, estate, to R2R LLC, 33-35 Gold St., $45,000.

H. Gilbert Pirosseno and Nancy J. Pirosseno to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee, and Abraxas Realty Trust, trust of, 110 Hood St., $48,000.

Hector Claudio and Jackeline Rivera to Vanyeline M. Claudio, 47 Laurel St., $115,000.

Home Equity Assets Realty LLC, receiver, Springfield City Code Enforcement Housing and Ruby L. King to Home Equity Assets Realty LLC, 18 Olive St., $66,000.

International Christian Center Inc., to Jorge I. Marquez, 88-90 Beverly Lane, $179,900.

Katherine Kalita to Amelia C. Ramos, 212 Prentice St., $80,000.

Lauren S. Gougeon to Joshua A. Gougeon and Mark F. Castro, 26 Tioga St., $177,000.

Lawrence Banks to Alicia Lockwood, 11 Sumner Terrace, $182,900.

Lynn K. Yaffe, Marc H. Kelberman, Beatrice Kelberman and Beatrice F. Kelberman to Delia M. Killeen, 40F Halifax Court, $145,000.

Matthew P. Blain and Jessica L. Blain to Dana L. Bartlett, 21 Onondaga St., $146,500.

Michael J. Gasperini to Timothy M. Nguyen, 560 Plumtree Road, $177,700.

Nicholas R. Kososki and Lauren A. Mancuso to Mary M. Godin, 20 Harkness Ave., $105,000.

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., to Orlando Olmeda, 268 Jasper St., $59,000.

Patricia D. Loughman and Patricia Johnson to Shu Cheng, 90 Feltham Road, $69,300.

Patricia Sheila Reilly to Jose M. Torres, 136 Eddy St., $122,500.

Peter A. Bernard and Elizabeth A. Bernard to Noor K. Naji and Naji K. Naji, 1023 Allen St., $153,000.

Roger W. Williams Jr., and Maria B. Williams to Constant O. Ogutt and Shakira Z. Ogutt, 72 Washburn St., $169,000.

Thomas A. Rodriguez to U S Bank, trustee, 54 Sunbrier Road, $162,792.

TM Properties Inc., receiver, Springfield City Code Enforcement and Theodore R. McNeil to Federal National Mortgage Association and Fannie Mae, 44 Norfolk St., $46,200.

William McKee, representative, and Bruce A. McKee, estate, to Cardinal Home Investors LLC, 100 Donbray Road, $81,000.

Yudelka Kotjahasan to Laura M. Murphy, 223 Emerson St., $133,000.

Zenaida Guadalupe to Springfield Museums Corp., 74 Fairfield St., $185,000.

Sunderland

Doris I. Trainor to Jospeh P. O'Connor, 125 PlumTree Road, $203,400.

Wales

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Shawn M. White and Leah C. Fay, 163 Monson Road, $165,000.

Kenneth L. Fitzgibbon and Kathleen L. Powers to Earl L. Cheney and Carol E. Cheney, 24 Sichols Colony Road, $345,000.

Ware

Susan K. Demore and David Pluta to Michael S. Anair and Briana M. Howell, 103 Gilbertville Road, $140,000.

Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., trustee, HSI Asset Securitization Corp., Trust, OCWEN Loan Servicing, attorney in fact, to Donna Young, 287 Osborne Road, $31,000.

Cheryl Wesolowski and Elaine Masiello to Tara A. Driscoll, 6 Chestnut St., $160,000.

Dorothy P. Desforges, Suzanne Gomes, Suzanne Desforges, Isabel Ksen and Angela Ksen to Suzanne Gomes, Deborah Arduino and David Desforges, 32-34 Park Ave., $100.

Roger H. Lincoln to Roger H. Lincoln and Susan P. Lincoln, 8 Old Stagecoach Road, $100.

Bernadette P. Lagrant to Patrice A. Lagrant, 139 Osborne Road, $100.

Jean E. Broom to Chrysler Szarlan, 273 Belchertown Road, $294,999.

Lestek Inc., to 118 Main Street Ware LLC, 55 East Main Street, East Street and Knox Avenue, $410,000.

Wendell

Ellen M. Santos to Kyle Heon and Caroline Roszell, 254 Locks Village Road, $78,500.

West Springfield

Andrea C. Izzo to Brian W. Cayo Sr., and Lori Rabtor, 63 Prince Ave., $156,000.

Deborah Ann Nickerson and Mary Lou Rivard to April Salvador-Macadam and Kelly Andrew Salvador-Macadam, 38 Ridgeview Road, $135,000.

Faith M. Smith, representative, and Neal D. Smith, estate, to Almina Ceric, 27 Greystone Ave., $130,000.

Francis M. Pikula to Michael P. Sullivan and Justin D. Foucher, 302 Woodmont St., $153,000.

Grace A. Bobskill to Ahmed A. Mustafa and Abdulwahab A. Mustafa, 281 Lancaster Ave., $273,000.

John E. Knight and Yvonne A. Knight to Jonathan A. Breton and Amanda L. Johnson, 44 Larivee Lane, $247,000.

Joseph Spiriti, Joe Spiriti, Joseph G. Spiriti and Pinky M. Spiriti to Steven S. Gifford, 137 Althea St., $205,500.

Matthew L. Coppola, Tamsen Gaskell and Tamsen L. Cassesse to Sarah L. Carver, 30 Gaskill Ave., $169,000.

Michelle A. Elliot to Mariko Silvano, 80 Brush Hill Ave., Unit 63, $76,000.

Paul L. McCarthy and Natalie R. McCarthy to Austin Henry Putman and Alysha B. Putnam, 18 Glenview Dr., $232,500.

Westfield

Anna Z. Lech and Robert Petlik to James F. O'Connor, 82 South Maple St., Unit 23, $85,000.

Cheryl D. Ingalls to Marianne Dufraine, 19 Morgan Ave., Unit 1, $150,000.

Christoper D. Fager and Christine Fager to Agnes Properties LLC, 45-47 King St., $270,000.

Donald A. Bieker and Betty V. Bieker to David Barton and Danielle Barton, 20 Marla Circle, $389,900.

Gary D. Emmershy to Lisa A. Gonzalez and Concepcion Mendez, 16-18 State St., $240,000.

Howard B. Sawyer and Ann M. Sawyer to Michael F. Tierney, 144 Meadow St., $52,000.

Jeanne M. Keller to David D. Arthur and Linda J. Arthur, 85 Falley Drive, $300,000.

John A. Marcinek Jr., and Shirley A. Marcinek to Paul Alex Preston and Philip M. Caolo, 35 Ridgecrest Circle, $338,750.

Juli M. Thibault to Kimberly D. Cross, 25 Tannery Road Unit A-4, $126,900.

Julian S. Tenczar to Roland S. Barbeito, 99 White St., $177,000.

Kimberly J. Dorsey and Charles J. Jensen Jr., to Melvin E Jensen Jr., 25 State St., $170,000.

Kristen M. Emrick to Edwin Caride, 2 Walnut St., $190,000.

Nancy Ann Allman to Kevin F. Aste and Sharon M. Senecal, 115 Northwest Road, $168,500.

Patricia J. Rabtor, representative, David Michael Rabtor, estate, and David M. Rabtor, estate, to Karrie A. Pierce and Keith M. Duboff, 24 Floral Ave., $189,000.

Patrick J. McGrath and Susan M. McGrath to Taryne M. Curran and Joseph P. Valenti, 68 Elizabeth Ave., $250,000.

Therese M. Wheatley, representative, Therese R. Mongeau, representative, Mary A. Mongeau, estate, and John C. Mongeau, representative, to Gloria D. Helems Lebeau, 131 Long Pond Road, $184,900.

David W. Isham to Abillio J. Casimiro and Joao F. Esteves, 6 Devonshire Drive, $55,000.

George F. Vitek and Nancy A. Vitek to Gene Salvador and Sandy F Salvador, 4 Edson Driver, $292,000.

Jean M Stone to Starla C George, 2205 Boston Rd Unit E-44, $129,900.

Luann T. Trigo to Laura M. Bovino and Christopher V. Bovino, 8 Devonshire Drive, $265,000.

Maria Panasian and Maria Torosian to Noraimi Rivera and Nirvan O. Nieves, 75 Washington Road, $154,900.

Paul E. Ugolini to Jennifer Lyn Gay, 22 Brainard Road, $219,000.

Philip A. Robichaud and Laura C. Robichaud to Brian J. Maloney and Sarah E. Maloney, 155 Main St., $281,500.

Roland P. Laferriere and Doris R. Laferriere to Francis J. Feeney, 12 Spruce Drive, $345,000.

Theresa S. Syriac, representative, Nancy T. Wales, representative, and Sophie Polys, estate, to Kyung Won Kim and Chun Ja Kim, 15 Old Boston Road, $105,000.

Westhampton

Michael Georgiadis to Jeremy P. Payson and Kristen N. Payson, 3 Hathaway Road, $425,000.

Whately

John M. Warner to Colleen M. Avery and Sharon M. Zulch, 5 Webber Road, $327,000.

Shari Cerreta, Shari Rudinski, Shari Harrison, Alicia Khlass, Alicia Skroski, Frank E. Skroski III, John B. Skroski, Jeffrey Rudinski, Charlotte Tenero, William J. Skroski, Christopher M. Skroski and Donald A. Skroski to Hugh D. Manheim, Christian Lane, $98,000.

Williamsburg

Florence Savings Bank to Joseph S. Barker Jr., 21 Goshen Road, $120,000.

Marilyn R. Schuster and Susan R. Van Dyne to Brad H. Wolansky and Christa L. Wolansky, 122, 122R and 126 Petticoat Hill Road, $455,000.

Worthington

Thomas Mark Wootton and Rochelle L. Vigurs to Peggy Klineman, 19 Ireland St., $257,500.

Deane Messeck Jr., and Kim A. Robillard Messeck to Caleb J. Roach, 54 Witt Hill Road, $147,500.


Holyoke voters poised to choose two among Mayor Alex Morse, Fran O'Connell, Anthony Soto

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The Holyoke city clerk has estimated a preliminary election voter turnout of 25 percent.

HOLYOKE -- Voters will go to the polls Tuesday (Sept. 22) to narrow the field in the preliminary election for mayor to two candidates from among Mayor Alex B. Morse, Fran O'Connell and Anthony Soto.

The top two vote-getters in the preliminary election will square off on Election Day Nov. 3.

The third-place finisher will be out of the race.

The contest for mayor is the only one on the preliminary election ballot.

The general election in November will have a full slate of races for City Council, School Committee and city treasurer, along with four binding ballot questions, in addition to the bout for mayor.

Polls will be open Tuesday in the 14 voting precincts from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

City Clerk Brenna Murphy McGee estimated a turnout of 25 percent of the city's 24,349 registered voters, or nearly 6,100.

Morse, 26, of 11 Linden St., is seeking his third, two-year term as mayor. He was first elected at age 22 in November 2011 as the youngest mayor in city history.

"Four years ago, we decided we wanted change and today, we see what change looks like," Morse said at his reelection launch May 27. "We know that there are those who would bring us back to business as usual. Let's show all of them that Holyoke's best days are ahead."

O'Connell, 56, of 518 Pleasant St., in 1987 founded the O'Connell Care at home business that provides services to let elderly people avoid nursing homes.

"I am running for mayor because I want to lead our city in a new direction, a direction in which we properly educate our children, effectively manage the people's government, attract and retain business and create a safe environment for all of our citizens," O'Connell said in announcing his bid for mayor June 22.

Soto, 41, of 10 James St., is in his second term as Ward two representative on the City Council. He has taken a leave of absence from his job as field representative for the state secretary of state in Springfield to run for mayor.

"We need a leader, but not just one person can make things happen. We need a leader who can work with the people. We need a leader who can work with the City Council....We need a leader who will be transparent. We need a leader we can trust," Soto said at his campaign kickoff May 21.

The yearly salary for Holyoke mayor is $85,000.

It's been a mostly civil campaign, with O'Connell doing most of the challenging of Morse in the media, such as on the state's having seized control of the public schools here and placing them in receivership.

Morse, O'Connell and Soto recently discussed their positions on nine issues at the request of The Republican and MassLive.com. Their responses are available below or in the box to the right of this story:

Public safety

Education

Trust

Jobs

Abandoned buildings


Lyman Terrace

Community Preservation Act

Property taxes

Ballot questions

Morse and O'Connell each has been dogged by an issue they wish would go away but hasn't.

In Morse's case, the issue is the separation agreement he executed with a former city solicitor in 2014 that included a payment of $45,000 Morse said was done to save the city costly litigation.

In O'Connell's case, the issue is a former campaign staffer recounting a dinner meeting she attended June 23 with O'Connell and two male advisers in which she said that O'Connell said he was unable to focus on what a certain female city employee says because of the size of her breasts. O'Connell said he won't confirm or deny the remark he said was attributed to him by "a disgruntled former paid staffer."

Soto hasn't scored the headlines that have gone to Morse and O'Connell but he said his campaign is working hard.

"We are on the ground working hard every day connecting with people. I think we have a great shot at this but will not take anything or anyone for granted," Soto said.

Drive-thru Dunkin' Donuts plan in Haydenville set for Monday public hearing

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The controversial project will need a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

WILLIAMSBURG -- A joint public hearing Monday will consider a proposal to build a drive-through Dunkin' Donuts in Haydenville, a quaint village which is part of the town of Williamsburg.

Sao Joao Realty LLC of Westfield wishes to build the fast-food restaurant at 141 Main St., the site of a former Berkshire Bank, and has applied for a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and site plan approval from the Planning Board.

The plans submitted July 30 call for a 2,200 square-foot shop on a 52,200 square-foot lot, with 18 parking spaces. The shop would be designed in the corporation's "Fresh Brew" aesthetic.

dunkin revised elevation.pngRevised architectural drawings show the proposed Dunkin' Donuts in Haydenville. 

The plan has inspired opposition, including a call for protesters "from Northampton to the Hilltowns" to sign an online petition created by an anonymous "Change dot org" user.  At last count the petition, widely shared on social media, had 345 signatures from those wishing to "Keep Dunkin' Donuts out of Haydenville Historic District. Keep Burgy Beautiful."

The proposed doughnut shop site is directly across Rt. 9 from the 1851 Haydenville Congregational Church. Across Bridge Street from the site is Ross Bros., an antique boat and vintage bicycle dealer that also runs a couple of Sunoco gas pumps. Behind the parcel runs the Mill River, channeled by a stone retaining wall. The site's nearest neighbor to the west is Haydenville's U.S. Post Office.

The online petition makes various assertions, including the apparently inaccurate claim that town bylaws prevent businesses with "drive-thru" windows.

The site is located in the Village Mixed zone, where, in fact, restaurants are permitted as-of-right, and a business with a drive-through is allowed with a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and site plan approval from the Planning Board, according to the town's zoning code.

The petition creator, identified only as "Burgy Beautiful," has promised to present the petition at the Sept. 21 hearing.

Haydenville Village is listed as a National Historic District, but the designation is an "honorary status" that provides no protections unless the federal government is involved with any of the properties, according to the National Park Service. The former Berkshire Bank building, which would be torn down, is not a historic structure.

According to the town's zoning bylaw, the special permit review process "is intended to ensure a non-detrimental relationship between proposed development and its surroundings, and to ensure that the proposals are consistent with the purpose and intent of this Bylaw."

The Zoning Board must find that the development "will be reasonably compatible with the character and scale of other uses permitted as of right in the same district," and that the design "shall minimize the visibility of visually degrading elements" and protect neighboring properties "through the use of screening or vegetated buffer zones."

Other special permit criteria have to do with the proper handling of surface water discharge, sewage and wastewater, and various forms of pollution, including air, water, and noise.

The Village Mixed zone allows one sign for a single business, not to exceed 12 square feet. Off-premises signs directing the public to specific businesses are not allowed in the zone.

The three-member Zoning Board of Appeals, chaired by Charles Dudek, has the power to issue or deny a special permit in accordance with the zoning bylaw after holding a public hearing. The zoning board is appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The developers are not requesting a zoning variance.

The principals of Sao Joao Realty LLC are Joao J. Sardinha of Southwick and Emanuel Sardinha of Westfield, according to records filed with the Secretary of State. The corporation owns the existing Dunkin' Donuts franchise at 37 Main St. in Williamsburg, which it hopes to move to the new location.

If you go:

What: Joint public hearing; Williamsburg Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
When: Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Williamsburg Town Offices, 141 Main St., Haydenville

Whole Foods Hadley donating 5 percent of sales to Holyoke Children's Museum

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The Holyoke museum encourages children to climb play structures and learn about everything from water to animal clinics to the mail.

HOLYOKE -- Whole Foods Market in Hadley will donate 5 percent of the sales on Tuesday (Sept. 22) to the Holyoke Children's Museum, museum Executive Director Susan Kelley said.

"Stop by and support the museum," Kelley said Thursday.

Whole Foods is at 327 Russell St. (Route 9).

The store is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The museum at 444 Dwight St., overlooking Holyoke Heritage State Park, was built in 1980.

The museum tries to enhance the educational and cultural awareness of children through the arts and sciences with exhibits that invite children to participate, the museum website said.

"Parents and adults who accompany children to the museum are strongly encouraged to participate in the exhibits and have fun and enjoy the amazement through the little ones' eyes," the website said.

Exhibits include the Curvey Climber, Water Table, Ambulance and Vet Clinic, Forklift, Mail Room, Fire Station and Bubble Room.

"Discover how the world works by doing," is among the phrases on the museum website.

Hours are Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Admission is $7 for children and adults, $5 for senior citizens and free for children under 1.

For information call (413) 536-7048.


Pope up the jams: Spotify commissions designer playlist for Pope Francis' US visit

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A soundtrack ranging from Mozart to "Motownphilly" has been created by a Notre Dame professor for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the United States.

NEW YORK -- A soundtrack ranging from Mozart to "Motownphilly" has been created by a Notre Dame professor for Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the United States.

The streaming music service Spotify reached out to Tim O'Malley, director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, for his Pope playlist. O'Malley responded with 53 songs for three-and-a-half hours of music.

Many of the songs are hymns and psalms that will be sung at liturgies Pope Francis will preside over staring Tuesday when he arrives in Washington D.C.

Listen to the playlist here.

But there are also tunes that reference his U.S. destinations: Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia," Boyz II Men's "Motownphilly" and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind."

Pope Francis' U.S. visit runs Tuesday through Sunday, with stops in Washington, Philadelphia and New York.

Fran O'Connell proposes opening alternative, entrepreneurial high school in Holyoke

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As the preliminary election for mayor of Holyoke draws closer, Fran O'Connell has outlined an out-of-the box plan for Holyoke Public Schools, though its feasibility is currently uncertain.

HOLYOKE -- As the preliminary election for mayor of Holyoke draws closer, Fran O'Connell has outlined an out-of-the box plan for Holyoke Public Schools, though its feasibility is currently uncertain. 

If elected, O'Connell would seek to open "The Enterprise High School," an alternative education program that would allow students to obtain business experience while working towards a diploma. 

In the customized program, freshman and sophomore would attend standard classes at Holyoke High School with one period of the day dedicated to learning of business practices and financial literacy. As an upperclassmen, the students would spend half their days in traditional classrooms and the other portion working on-or-off the school campus creating their own business or working within an established Western Massachusetts business. 

"The goal is to motivate students to learn and prepare them to earn a living," O'Connell said of the program, in a statement. "The Enterprise High School is an example of the type of creative educational reform that we can implement if we have true leadership, ensuring that more of our students receive a valuable education, giving them and the taxpayers what they deserve: an opportunity to get a return on their investment in effort, time and money." 

The mayoral candidate is the founder of O'Connell Care at Home. The agency offers a range of services to clients, from medication supervision to grocery shopping. It employees more than 300 employees, a mix of full- and part-time workers. He founded the agency 28 years ago in Holyoke, financing it with his savings from working as a nurse. 

While discussing the concept of an Enterprise High School, O'Connell repeated past statements that the takeover of city schools is a "travesty." 

"The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), in a historically unprecedented move, has taken over the Holyoke Public School System. Our schools hit rock bottom and I believe that we now have the ultimate opportunity to move our schools in a new direction," O'Connell said. "Turning around our schools is going to take strong leadership, creativity and an ability to build coalitions with a wide range of partners, including the state."

City schools were placed into receivership in April, after the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education declared Holyoke Public Schools a "chronically underperforming" Level 5 district.

Though rare, the vote is not without precedence. Public schools in Lawrence were placed into receivership four years ago. 

Under receivership, the power of both the city school committee and former superintendent are given to the district receiver. Stephen K. Zrike was appointed to the position by Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell D. Chester at the end of the school year, a role he filled two months ago. 

The school committee, of which the mayor is the chairperson, now serves as an advisory group to the receiver. Committee members no longer have the power to make large-scale decisions including set school budgets, nor hiring and firing power, with the receiver in control. 

Regarding the feasibility of O'Connell's proposal, Media Relations Coordinator for DESE Jacqueline Resi said, "Dr. Zrike will continue to work cooperatively with city officials, but creating a new high school is not something a mayor can single-handedly do when the school district is in receivership."

O'Connell said he has not yet discussed the plan with Zrike but, if elected, his first meeting will be with the receiver. 

When asked about the proposed high school program, Zrike told MassLive it's similar to models he has seen implemented in other districts in the country. While it's not something currently being considered in the official turnaround plan - which will be released this fall - Zrike said he appreciates hearing such ideas from members of the community. 

"These are the kinds of ideas we want people to pitch," Zrike said. "These are the kinds of discussions going to be happening within the school community." 

He said it's especially important to be involved in the local business community and hear feedback from them to ensure students are ready for college and careers after graduation. 

Western Mass. Ad Club names 2015 William Pynchon award winners for community service efforts in Pioneer Valley

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Named for Springfield's founder, the Order of William Pynchon honors community service in the Pioneer Valley. The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts hosts them annually.

SPRINGFIELD - Ronn and Donna Johnson started off needing a way to get their daughter, Brianna, to Girl Scout meetings.

Brianna was born with brittle bone disease. Today, she works as director of operations for state Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow.

That effort lead to their creation of the Brianna Fund for Children with Physical Disabilities, which raises funds and then builds ramps and access points, buys accessible vans and otherwise helps give children living with disabilities access to their communities and the wider world around them.

"The goal has always been a larger one of building public awareness that these children with disabilities are filled with the same talent as any other child and should be included. They should not bee seen as burdens," Johnson, a former MassMutual executive who is now president and CEO of  Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services in Springfield, said. "We feel blessed in many ways."

Since 1998, the Brianna Fund has raised more than $500,000, much of it with an annual gospel music festival, and given grants to 47 families.

Johnson and his wife, Donna, a who worked for the Center for Human Development and most recently in Gov. Deval Patrick's Springfield offices, are two of the five 2015 recipients of the Order of William Pynchon.

Given every year since 1915 by the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, the awards recognize community service and volunteerism in the Pioneer Valley. The awards are named for Springfield founder William Pynchon.

This being the 100-year anniversary, the AD Club held Monday's news conference under the rotunda dome at the Springfield Central Library. The Ad Club will host the Pynchon Awards ceremony Nov. 19 at the Springfield Museums. Recent ceremonies have been held at the Chez Josef in Agawam.

Tickets are $65 and more information is available at www.adclubwm.org.

"We thought it was time to bring it back to Springfield," said organizer Nancy Urbschat.

Pynchon Trustee David Cecchi said the first awards in 1915 were in the Kimball Hotel, about a block away from what is now the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.

Recipients are: the Johnsons, Gary Bernice, band director at the Springfield High School of Science and Technology; volunteer Sue Ellen Panitch and philanthropist Harold Grinspoon.

Panitch, who lives in Holyoke, spoke of her longtime dedication to environmental conservation , particularly the Connecticut River. Her love of the Connecticut must have been shared by Pynchon himself.

"He came to this valley , took one look at our magnificent river and said 'We're home'. I feel the same way," Panitch said.

Panitch is a 40-year member of the Holyoke Conservation Commission  and has been active in dozens of organizations, including the Therapeutic Equestrian Center  and its fundraising event The Future begins Here.

Grinspoon, who made his fortuen in real estate, and his wife, Diane Troderman, have signed The Giving Pledge, a commitment to give at least half his estate to charity. The pledge was initiated by Warren Buffett and by Bill and Melinda Gates.

Grinspoon's charities include the Simon Grinspoon Farm Award which helps lcoal farmers make needed improvements, OWL, Opening the World of Learning , program at the Springfield Public Schools , the Excellence in Teaching Awards , the PJ Library that gives Jewish Children books, music and other materials to foster Jewish learning  and annual entrepreneurship and "elevator pitch" contests.

The Sci Tech Band was the subject of a recent documentary, but is much more than that, Bernice said.

He started in 2007 with 20 disinterested students. Today, more than 500 Sci Tech students -- a third of the student body -- participate in band. for many, its their main motivation to attend and to do well in school.

"What happens in band is more than just music. it's more than graduation rates. It is family and community," Bernice said. "Our students are becoming the kind of people Springfield needs."

Massachusetts legislators seek to ban styrofoam use in restaurants

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When ordering delivery, food may arrive in a different container in coming years.

When ordering delivery, food may arrive in a different container in coming years.

State Rep. Frank Smizik and Sen. Michael Barrett, of Lexington, filed a bill with the Massachusetts legislature seeking to ban Massachusetts restaurants from storing food in polystyrene containers, often referred to by the trademarked name styrofoam.

"Because it takes years to degrade, it can be found littering out streets and sitting in landfills," Smizik told Boston.com. "Not only do chemicals present in polystyrene pose health risks, but the debris from broken down containers are harmful to the environment and wildlife."

If passed, the bill would give restaurants across the state a year to find more environmentally friendly single-use food containers. 

Several local governments have banned restaurants within community limits from using such containers. The South Hadley Board of Health voted to ban styrofoam last December. Three years ago, Amherst banned restaurants from using the containers as well. 

So far, 18 Massachusetts legislators have co-sponsored the measure, including Holyoke state Rep. Aaron Vega. 

World Market to open first Massachusetts location, give away free gift cards on opening day

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Shoppers who seek to fill their homes with goods from across the globe can shop for such items closer to home next month. Cost Plus World Market will open its first Massachusetts store next month in Framingham. The company sells an eclectic mix of goods including furniture, jewelry, food and drinks. "World Market buyers travel the globe visiting remote villages, centuries-old...

Shoppers who seek to fill their homes with goods from across the globe can shop for such items closer to home next month.

Cost Plus World Market will open its first Massachusetts store next month in Framingham.

The company sells an eclectic mix of goods including furniture, jewelry, food and drinks.

"World Market buyers travel the globe visiting remote villages, centuries-old factories and foreign bazaars and markets searching for affordable products to offer its customers, including baskets from the Philippines, chocolates from Belgium, pottery from Portugal, collectibles from Africa, and gourmet food and wine from around the world," the company said in a press release.

The new Massachusetts location will open on Thursday, Oct. 1. Store owners will hold a grant opening ceremony at 9 a.m. with city officials and members of the Framingham Chamber of Commerce.

Hosts of HGTV show "Property Brothers," Jonathan and Drew Scott, will attend the grand opening from 1 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 1. The first 200 shoppers to bring in five non-glass, non-perishable food items to donate will be entered in a raffle to meet the HGTV stars.

The first 100 shoppers to visit the store will receive a free $10 gift card to spend at Cost Plus World Market. From opening day through Sunday, Oct. 4, the store will giveaway reusable bags to the first 100 shoppers each day and hold a twice-daily raffle for a $250 store gift card throughout the weekend.

The newest Cost Plus World Market will be located at 1 Worcester Rd, in Framingham. The company operates over 200 stores in 33 states across the country. 

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