Investors bought the shopping plaza on Liberty Street for $35 million in 2014. Watch video

SPRINGFIELD -- Contractor Vantage Builders has revamped the signs and building facades, removed the walkway canopy and improved the lighting at the Springfield Plaza shopping Center on Liberty Street.

Vantage, based in Waltham, announced the completion of the $1.5 million improvement project this week. Company officials said workers also poured new concrete sidewalks, widening the path by six feet.

The 1,300 linear feet of now-removed canopy over the sidewalk made the area seem dark, owners have said in the past.

These improvements are coupled with more than $1 million in roof repairs completed in 2015.

Contractors installed new LED pole lights, wall sconces and strip lighting to improve visibility and safety, according to the release.

The facade improvements involved installing an exterior, water-resistant insulation and finishing system along the length of the building, with colors matched to the tenants' company logos or brand identities.

Stores in the plaza include Rent-A-Center, Kmart, Savers, Payless ShoeSource, H&R Block and RadioShack, the famous Koffee Cup Bakery, Dollar Tree, Ocean State Job Lot and Joey's Shopping Spree.

A Stop & Shop supermarket and a Rocky's Ace Hardware occupy stand-alone buildings at the site.

Investors Davenport Companies and Albany Road Real Estate, both based in Boston, bought Springfield Plaza in 2014 for $35 million, promising $4 million to $5 in improvements over several years.

The 40,000-square-foot shopping center in Liberty Heights near the Chicopee line is a solid investment, the new owners said at the time, with just 7 percent vacancy and a loyal following of shoppers who live within 4 or 5 miles.

Their plans were to bring in more retailers and attractions that met the needs of neighborhood residents.

Bruce Nolen, managing director of asset and portfolio management at Albany Road said in a a prepared release:

"From the onset, we wanted to make improvements to the Plaza, for both the retailers and the neighborhood. The plaza had begun to look quite run down, which is unfortunate because it didn't reflect the excitement and interest that the retailers have for the city and its people. We wanted to create a more vibrant and inviting place for everyone."

In February, Bounce! Trampoline Park opened in the former movie theater adjacent to Springfield Plaza. That former theater building was and is under separate ownership from the rest of the plaza.

Springfield Plaza was Springfield Airport from 1929 to 1955 and home base for the Granville Brothers and their Gee-Bee Aircraft. Gee-Bees dominated high-speed air races in the 1930s and proved much of the technology that went into World War II fighters.

The plaza was built in the late 1950s as the city's first shopping center and once boasted a J.M. Fields department store.

Over the last five years, the supermarket chain has collected about 29,000 flags.

SPRINGFIELD -- Big Y Foods Inc. said Wednesday in advance of Independence Day that it collected 5,561 worn-out American flags from May 26 to Flag Day, June 14.

The flags were were delivered to local Boy Scouts, American Legion posts, VFWs and military organizations to ensure proper retirement with dignity and respect, according to a news release.

Big Y has collected and retired about 29,000 American flags since the program began five years ago.

"As a symbol of our being an American owned supermarket, Big Y is proud to help our communities by properly retiring their worn, tattered or soiled American flags," Big Y CEO Donald H. D'Amour said.

The Springfield-based chain places collection boxes in its stores each spring.

The collecting organizations will hold a special flag retirement ceremony that conforms to the United States Flag Code:

"United States Federal Law provides that 'The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.' (36 U.S.C. 176(k))" The burning symbolizes purification and rebirth when performed during a ceremony. After a final tribute, a flag is cut in 13 strips that represent the original 13 colonies, and the 50 stars to pay homage to the 50 states. The strips are then respectively placed on a fire. The ashes are then collected and buried after the Pledge of Allegiance is recited and a moment of silence is observed."

President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day in 1916. It is celebrated every year on June 14 to observe the adoption of the first national flag in 1777.

Big Y said it proudly displays the American Flag outside all its stores.  The company operates 68 stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts with more than 10,000 employees. 

 

July 4 is expected to be sunny, with a high near 84.

SPRINGFIELD -- Nearly 43 million Americans will travel this July Fourth holiday, according to projections from AAA, a figure expected to be a new all-time record.

Those 43 million traveling Americans will include 1.1 million from Massachusetts, many likely spurred on by relatively low gas prices.

Here is a list of travel tips, strategies and more for the holiday weekend.

Gas prices

A gallon of regular averages $2.26 in Greater Springfield, according to AAA. That's down from $2.28 a week ago and from $2.29 a month a ago and $2.74 a year ago on July 4, 2015.

Highways

MassDOT is expecting high traffic volumes all weekend, especially at major junctions like where Interstate 84 meets the Massachusetts Turnpike in Sturbridge.

Some tips:

• MassDOT suspends all construction work on major arterial roadways from noon on Friday through the start of normal business hours on Tuesday. This includes Interstate 91 in Springfield.
• The I-93 southbound carpool lane will open at 2 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. Friday. The I-93 southbound high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane will be closed all day on July 4.
• Sagamore Bridge: The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports that there will be no lane restrictions on the Sagamore Bridge during the July Fourth holiday.
• Free coffee: MassDOT will serve free coffee at its 18 service plazas from 10 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday. The plazas serving free coffee are the 11 service plazas along I-90 plus plazas along Route 3 in Plymouth, Route 128 in Beverly, Route 128/I-95 in Newton and Lexington, Route 6 in Barnstable, and the Route 24 northbound and southbound plazas.
• Check traffic conditions: Customers may dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions. Visit mass511.com, a website that provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information. Access MassDOT traffic cameras to view images covering portions of routes 3, 6 and 28, and parts of I-90, 91, 93 and 95.

PVTA: On July 4, Springfield- and Northampton-area Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses are on Sunday schedules. There will be no bus service for UMass and Amherst on July 4. A detailed summer schedule is available here.

MBTA: The T has posted detailed July 4 information here.

• Subway will run on a Sunday schedule July 4, with rush-hour schedules starting at 2 p.m. to accommodate holiday travelers to the Boston Pops on the Esplanade. 
• Buses and trackless trolleys will be on a Sunday schedule.
• Commuter rail: A Saturday schedule with the last trains leaving Boston on a schedule posted here.
• Boats: Hingham service (Hingham Shipyard-Rowes Wharf) will operate on a Saturday schedule. Hull service (Hingham, Hull-Long Wharf, Boston via Logan Airport) will operate on a Saturday schedule. Charlestown service (Long Wharf-Charlestown Navy Yard) will operate on a weekend schedule.

CapeFlyer

The MBTA's rail service from Boston's South Station to Hyannis will run on a Saturday and Sunday schedule on Monday July 4.

Amtrak

The national railway expects to be busy and has added late trains to and from popular destinations like Boston, Philadelphia and Washington.

Peter Pan Bus Lines

The Springfield-based bus line advises travelers that schedules are subject to change and delays are expected due to heavy traffic patterns over the holiday travel period. Peter Pan advises:

• Buy your ticket in advance.
• If your trip involves connecting service, if traveling to an airport, or if you have time-sensitive plans, take an earlier departure and allow ample travel time in order to meet your connection.
• Plan to arrive at your departure location at least 45 minutes in advance.
• Have your e-ticket printed and have your valid photo ID available.

Bradley International Airport:

Airports around the country expect to be busy this weekend. Bradley International Airport says travelers should plan to arrive at their terminals 90 minutes before departure. They should also review TSA guidelines for what can and cannot be brought on a plane.

Weather

Looking good. The National Weather Service predicts a mostly sunny Saturday and Sunday, albeit with chances of fog. For Independence Day, look for sunny skies with a high near 84.

The request for proposals says MGM Springfield will co-book no fewer than three and no more than five events at Symphony Hall starting in the fall of 2018.

SPRINGFIELD -- The city of Springfield wants proposals from operators looking to manage and book acts into city's iconic Symphony Hall.

Potential operators -- a list that will include the Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. which now runs the  Symphony Hall as well as CityStage  --  have until 2 p.m. Tuesday to get their proposals in to City Hall.

The winner will operate Symphony Hall until the end of 2018, months after the opening of a $950-million casino in downtown Springfield in fall 2018, according to documents on file with the city and reproduced below. The process doesn't obligate the city to take a the high bidder but to evaluate each proposal on its own merit.

An MGM spokeswoman didn't respond Thursday when asked if the company would bid on the management contract at Symphony Hall.

MGM is cooperating on a bid to operate the MassMutual Center arena, which is about two blocks away. The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which owns the  MassMutual Center, is expected to make decision on an operator in a few weeks.

But MGM did not challenge Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. for the management and control of the smaller CityStage.

Tina D'Agostino, president of Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., said Thursday her group will bid with plans to continue bringing entertainment to Symphony Hall.

The bid specifications inform potential operators that MGM expects to co-produce no fewer than three and no more than five events at Symphony Hall each year, an arrangement laid out in MGM's host community agreement with Springfield.

The request for proposals also instructs the winning applicant to sign a new contracts with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and  the Springfield Parking Authority. The document also promises that the city will reimburse the operator for hosing community events, like high-school graduations and mayoral inaugurations.

The new deal would take effect in July 2016, according to documents. If its a new operator, that operator must  cooperate with Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. on acts that have already been booked for the coming months.

Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. is the only bidder for CityStage and will continue operations there, said Ehsanul "Bokul" Bhuiya, comptroller and chief procurement officer for the Springfield Parking Authority. The authority owns the Columbus Center Garage Building where CityStage is located.

D'Agostino said there is utility in having one entity, Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp., manage and book acts into both downtown venues to avoid conflicts.

CityStage had been on a series of five-year deals before the Parkign Authority decided to put it out to bid. D'Agostino's group had a one-year deal at Symphony Hall following a series of five-year deals.

 Timothy J. Plante, chief administrative and financial officer for the city of Springfield, said Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. doesn't pay the city for the Symphony Hall. Instead the benefit the city gets out of letting Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp. operate and maintain the building is the economic impact of the shows and visitors to the city.

Financial statements included in the bid documents show Symphony Hall is basically a break-even enterprise for Springfield Performing Arts Development Corp.

The group had a net loss of $7,800 at Symphony Hall in its 2014-15 fiscal year. That followed net incomes of $9,719 in 2013-14 and $17,353 in 2012-13.

Symphony Hall by Jim Kinney

The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would allow cities like Springfield to require banks to post a bond that can be used to maintain vacant, foreclosed properties.

BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would allow cities like Springfield to require banks to post a bond that can be used to maintain vacant, foreclosed properties.

The bill that passed was a narrower version of a bill that lawmakers declined to vote on Wednesday over concerns that it was too vague.

State Sen. Eric Lesser, D-Longmeadow, said on the Senate floor that the bill "preserves Springfield's ability to take measures to protect property values and to fight the foreclosure crisis," according to a State House News Service transcript.

The Springfield City Council passed two anti-foreclosure ordinances in 2011. One required a bank to maintain a foreclosed home to certain standards and pay a $10,000 bond, which could be used by the city to maintain foreclosed properties, if the bank failed to do so. The other ordinance established a mandatory mediation program to help homeowners facing foreclosure.

The ordinances were struck down by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2014, when the court found that state law preempted the federal law. Similar rules were withdrawn in Worcester and Lynn after the court's ruling.

"All we're asking for is that the banks or financial institutions have the same responsibility as other landowners," Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno told The Republican.

The bill that passed the Senate, S.2396, would allow a municipality to craft an ordinance requiring a bank or lender to post a bond of up to $10,000 on a foreclosed property. The lender would be required to maintain any vacant property that it is lawfully allowed to enter during foreclosure or the bond money could be used to maintain it.

The bill eliminated more general language that would have allowed cities and towns to develop any foreclosure-related ordinance that was not explicitly contradicted by state law. Banks said such a law would have made it difficult for banks to lend money in certain cities or towns, and would have limited the availability of credit in those places.

The bill, which passed on a voice vote, now goes to the House.

Because of a previous court order, tree-cutting can not begin until July 29.

SANDISFIELD -- A controversial natural gas pipeline which would cross a state forest in Berkshire County to serve customers in Connecticut gained traction this week when the project gained a federal Clean Water Act certificate in Massachusetts.

The state's Department of Environmental Protection issued the 401 Water Quality Certification -- with 47 conditions -- to Kinder Morgan subsidiary Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. for its Connecticut Expansion project on Wednesday. The line would cross water bodies within the Otis State Forest, including the Clam River and Worthington Brook.

While Kinder Morgan still needs a Clean Water Act permit from Connecticut, the company is one step closer to cutting trees along the pipeline route in Massachusetts. All state, federal, and local permits, permissions, and easements must be lined up first, according to the June 29 certification, including authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

But Kinder Morgan will have to wait until July 29 to start work in the state forest because of a court ruling. A Berkshire Superior Court judge this spring ordered the company to delay tree cutting until the state legislature wraps up its session for the year.

The Connecticut Expansion gained a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on March 11.

The battle over the Otis State Forest has been long and protracted.

Last year former Department of Conservation and Recreation commissioner Carol Sanchez signed a negotiated compensation deal for a pipeline easement through the forest which requires "no net loss of conservation land" and $300,000 to be deposited into a land acquisition fund.

But when state officials failed to convey the negotiated easement, Tennessee filed a lawsuit.

Oral arguments were heard before a packed courtroom in April, pitting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ireland against James Messenger, a lawyer for Tennessee Gas.

Ireland argued that Article 97, a provision of the Massachusetts Constitution which requires legislative approval for the loss of conservation land, preempts the U.S. Natural Gas Act. That law gives pipeline companies with federally-approved projects the right of eminent domain.

Agostini ruled in May that Article 97 does not preempt the US Natural Gas Act, clearing the way for Tennessee to advance its project. 

In a related matter, MassDEP officials in April accused Kinder Morgan of misleading the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in its bid to start tree-cutting for the Connecticut Expansion, saying the company falsely assured the pipeline regulators that Massachusetts would not require a 401 certificate for the project.

"A Water Quality Certification is required prior to tree felling as now proposed, and TGP's reference in its April 11 filing to statements made by MassDEP staff in January 2016 is misleading," wrote DEP analyst Brian D. Harrington in a sworn affidavit.

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren got involved, and asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to deny tree-cutting after March 31 to protect migratory birds and a vulnerable bat. FERC had told Tennessee it needed clearance from Fish & Wildlife to proceed with tree felling after that date, even though Fish & Wildlife's own rules regarding the species don't state a specific cutoff date for logging.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife public affairs specialist Catherine Hibbard told The Republican there are no time-of-year restrictions for activities that may harm migratory birds, although the agency recommends that bush and tree clearing occur outside the birds' breeding season. For the northern long-eared bat, there are no restrictions for timber harvest if the project is more than a quarter mile from a hibernation area or more than 150 feet from a roost tree.

Regardless of how things go with Fish & Wildlife, Tennessee will now be able to present its 401 certificate from Massachusetts to FERC.

The 13.42-mile pipeline plan shows loops in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The Berkshire County section would be about four miles long. The infrastructure is designed to let Tennessee transport 72,100 dekatherms of daily service from a pipeline gate in Wright, New York to three natural gas utilities in Connecticut.

Project opponents have included Sen. Ben Downing (D-Pittsfield) and Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli (D-Lenox), who represent the Berkshires, as well as environmental and landowner groups such as Mass Audubon and Sandisfield Taxpayers Opposed to the Pipeline (STOP).

Mass Audubon played a major role in the preservation of the Otis State Forest a decade ago.

The project calls for the withdrawal of one million gallons of water from the state-owned Spectacle Pond to test the pipeline. Construction is expected to impact approximately 29 acres of the forest. Construction would widen an existing gas pipeline right-of-way.

Kinder Morgan withdrew its federal application for a much larger pipeline project earlier this year, citing inadequate customer commitments for its 420-mile Northeast Energy Direct.

Kinder Morgan 401 Water Quality Certification for Connecticut Expansion in Massachusetts 06-29-16 by Mary Serreze

McCaffrey's Public House, the Main Street restaurant and bar across the street from the MGM work site, has lost all adjacent street parking due to casino construction.

SPRINGFIELD - The development of the MGM Springfield casino may already be drawing business to downtown Springfield, but not all local entrepreneurs are coming out ahead.

McCaffrey's Public House, the Main Street restaurant and bar across the street from the MGM work site, has lost all adjacent street parking due to casino construction, owner Nick Polimeni said. Business has crashed 70 percent since the spaces disappeared, leading to layoffs and Polimeni working for free while considering the future of his pub.

"I'm going to try to ride it out for the next month," Polimeni said, describing the cost-cuts as Band Aid measures. "I just can't foresee it in the future if I have to wait another four, six, eight weeks of no parking. That, I don't know what I'm going to do."

For a block on either side of McCaffrey's, orange traffic barriers and a chain-link fence occupy the public parking spaces previously used by Polimeni's customers. Across the street, where the MGM Springfield property begins, the sidewalk has been blocked off for months.

The Springfield Mayor's Office contacted MGM about McCaffrey's concerns on Wednesday, and MGM said it offered McCaffrey's the use of a parking lot behind the Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan and Blakesley law office on Main Street.

"This would be the closest and most convenient solution for his customers," Executive Director of Design & Construction Jason Rosewell wrote to William Baker, Mayor Domenic Sarno's Director of Constituent Services. "Unfortunately, he declined our offer and has not expressed an interest in revisiting this option."

But Polimeni said that deal was only offered to the previous owner during a dispute last year over the placement of Jersey barriers, and that the lot was not secure enough to use.

"The problem was, I tried it out and the first night of me and my customers parking there, our windows got smashed and our cars got ransacked," Polimeni said.

"The utility work currently underway along Main Street is a critical component of the MGM Springfield development," an MGM spokesperson said in a statement. "In order to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety, it is necessary for street parking to be suspended for the duration of the work. We do understand the concerns of McCaffrey's and are doing what we can to expedite the process and minimize business disruption. We have offered to work with them to find solutions in the interim."

Sarno said the city had reached out to MGM to try to find a solution, but that the blockage of the parking spots was necessary for public safety during construction.

"That has to be there for pedestrian and vehicular protection," Sarno said. "We've done everything within our power, but we'll always try to help out businesses."

McCaffrey's had clashed with MGM and the Springfield City Council over the placement of the Jersey barriers on Main before the barriers were removed in December, Polimeni said. After that, business returned to normal.

"My business was flourishing, it was great," said Polimeni, who has worked at McCaffrey's since 2010 and purchased the bar from previous owner Raymond Gossman in January.

But earlier this month, Polimeni got an email from MGM announcing that upcoming construction would eliminate all adjacent street parking, he said. The company has told Sarno's office the work will likely take six to eight weeks.

Rosewell wrote to the Mayor's Office that an MGM representative had spoken with Polimeni on Wednesday, and had offered to place McCaffrey's signage on the fence. Polimeni said he has already ordered his own signs to let customers know he is still open.

"We will make every effort to expedite this process but because we are dealing with underground conditions we don't fully know what to expect or how that will impact our timeline," Rosewell wrote.

The lack of nearby parking is a tough sell for his customer base, Polimeni said.

"I had plenty of on-street, safe parking where you could walk out the building and your car would be right in front of you," he said. "Downtown has the reputation of being dangerous so people don't want to walk two or three blocks to their cars, especially at night time - midnight, 1 o'clock in the morning."

The work began on Monday, and business immediately declined, he said.

"My business is probably down 70, 80 percent," Polimeni saidl. "The week isn't over yet so I don't know how it's going to go, but I can guarantee you 70 percent."

In response, Polimeni has laid off three workers, stopped drawing a personal salary and cut weekend hours. He has had no help from state or local government, he said; private businesses are not allowed to apply Massachusetts Gaming Commission mitigation funds, and he has not sought financial help from the City of Springfield. 

The slowdown would likely not be survivable for McCaffrey's if it continues for more than a month, Polimeni said. He said he is willing to compromise with MGM Springfield, but hopes they agree to accelerate their schedule for restoring parking.

"I totally understand the work needs to be done. I would like to get some kind of a compromise," he said. "Or if that's not the case I would like to be compensated for it, for the loss of business."

What is open and what is closed for July 4.

Independence Day is upon us. Here is what's open and what is closed July 4.

Government

• Massachusetts state offices: closed
• Local municipal offices: closed
• Federal offices: closed
• Massachusetts RMV: closed 
• Massachusetts s tate court: closed
• Federal court: closed
• Massachusetts state parks: closed 
• National parks: Springfield National Historic Site is open.
• Post office: closed

Retail:

• Massachusetts liquor stores: Open, according to the secretary of the commonwealth.
• Connecticut liquor stores: Open.
• Banks: Most branches are closed. The Massachusetts Bankers Association says customers should check with their branch and should also be aware that some banks will modify hours on Friday.
• Big Y: Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pharmacy 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Stop & Shop: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pharmacy 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Wal-mart: Open regular hours. Pharmacies open 10 a.m. to 6 
• Walgreens: Pharmacy closed. Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• CVS:  Store is open regular hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Pharmacy is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Rite Aid: Store open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pharmacy open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• KMart: Open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pharmacy closed.
• Kohls: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Hampshire Mall: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following Hampshire Mall stores have different hours:

• Target: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Dick's Sporting Goods: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• JCPenney: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• Arizona Pizza Co.: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cinemark: First movie showing 11 a.m., last movie showing 10:30 p.m.

Holyoke Mall: Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The following Holyoke Mall stores will be open for extended hours:

• Macy's: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Target: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pharmacy open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
• Best Buy: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• JCPenney: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sears: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Uno Pizzeria & Grill: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Ninety-Nine Restaurant & Pub: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Ruby Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Burlington Coat Factory: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Eastfield Mall: open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority plans to award contracts in the next few weeks.

SPRINGFIELD -- The partnership between MGM Springfield and Spectra by Comcast Spectacor is not the only party bidding to take over management of the MassMutual Center arena downtown.

Nate Little, communications director for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, said this week that he cannot reveal the other bidders.

But the Convention Authority expects to name within a few weeks a new manger for both operations and food service at the arena and convention center at the corner of Main and State streets in the heart of downtown.

The two functions -- food and overall management -- had been two separate contracts for the arena, Little said.

Spectra, which used to be named Global Spectrum, is the arena operator now. In March, Spectra and MGM Springfield announced  that they had agreed to a collaborative approach to operating the facility. That collaboration was to begin Friday and run until the end of 2016 when the new contract -- the one MGM and Spectra are competing for -- will go into effect.

MGM Springfield is set to open a $950 million casino in downtown Springfield in fall 2018. The project is under construction a block away from the MassMutual Center. MGM Springfield has agreed to co-produce shows at the arena, as well as at Symphony Hall and CityStage.

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority chose Global Spectrum to run the state-owned facility in 2005 after it reopened following extensive renovations and expansions. Global Spectrum replaced the state employees who had managed  the former Springfield Civic Center.

Spokespeople for both MGM and Spectra said they are hopeful about their joint bid.

Little dismissed suggestions that MGM has already improved the quality of acts coming to the MassMutual Center with of-the-moment standups Louis CK and Amy Schumer both set to bring their tours to the arena. Louis CK is set to play Springfield in August, Schumer in September. 

"Spectra's bookers have connections with the management of those acts," Little said. "They did that in-house."

The Care Center alternative school in Holyoke held a graduation on Friday, July 1, 2016 of 41 young women who received high school-equivalency diplomas.

HOLYOKE -- The Care Center alternative school held its largest graduation to date on Friday of 41 young women who received high school-equivalency diplomas after having to drop out of regular schooling.

"We probably had 200 people, 250 people here and there was such a feeling of just buoyancy, 'My daughter did this, my sister did this.' You could feel it in the crowd," said Anne Teschner, executive director of the Care Center at 247 Cabot St.

Usually, she said, the alternative school graduates 20 to 30 young women.

The ceremony was held in the garden at Wistariahurst Museum.

Among the graduates was Kaitlyn Simmons, 17, of Chicopee. She said she had no regrets about having a baby and leaving high school. Her son, Kaidenn, will be 1 next week, she said.

"It was good for me. It definitely pushed me forward," Simmons said.

A more detailed story on The Care Center graduation will be published on Saturday, July 2, 2016.

The repairs are necessary to fix damage caused by a vehicle operated by a contractor, SPS New England.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced Friday that repairs will begin Tuesday on the MassPike (Interstate 90) bridge at Exit 5 in Chicopee, causing temporary closures to the exit throughout July.

The repairs are necessary to fix damage caused by a vehicle operated by a contractor, SPS New England, MassDOT said in a news release.

SPS New England, Inc.,will perform the repairs. 

Closures are as follows:

• Tuesday, July 5 to Thursday, July 7: Exit 5 will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Friday, July 8 to Saturday, July 9: Repairs will be done during the hours of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. 
• After July 9: Work will be performed each Sunday through Thursday between 9 p.m., and 5 a.m. 

Detour: Drivers will be detoured to Exit 6, (I-291/Burnett Road), and then will travel onto I-90 westbound and return to Exit 5 from the westbound roadway. 

Weather permitting, the repairs are expected to be completed by the end of July.

Massachusetts is one of four states that lets the feds oversee the U.S. Clean Water Act.

BOSTON -- Water pollution oversight in Massachusetts will remain in federal hands after legislation to transfer authority to state environmental regulators died on Beacon Hill.

A bill filed by Gov. Charlie Baker in April would have let the state's Department of Environmental Protection, instead of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, oversee federal pollution discharge permits for facilities such as wastewater treatment plants, municipal storm drain systems and industry.

Baker had expressed confidence MassDEP would implement a "strong, science-based program" and committed $4.7 million in annual funding to implement the program.

However, the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in June referred the bill to study, meaning it won't come up for a vote this legislative session.

Forty-six states run their own programs, having been authorized by the EPA to do so. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Idaho and New Mexico are the only states that have not taken over enforcement of the federal Clean Water Act, which was adopted in 1972.

The state oversight proposal had supporters and detractors from across the spectrum.

Bill would let MassDEP regulate water pollution

MassDEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg in April said the state would "embrace the concept of integrated water resources planning" and "work with municipalities to take a holistic view of clean water requirements and implementation schedules."

Moving oversight to the state "will bring it closer to affected communities, which are often faced with major and costly challenges to comply," said state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester.

Geoffrey Beckwith, director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, also offered support, saying MassDEP would "deliver stronger results for the environment with less bureaucracy, and provide greater responsiveness to all communities and stakeholders."

However, H.2464 was opposed by some environmentalists, including the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, a coalition of 38 groups.

"It makes no sense to replace an existing federally funded program with a state-funded program when state budgets are this tight," rivers alliance Director Julia Blatt wrote to legislators. "The only funding mechanism now being proposed, general legislative appropriations, is unreliable."

Blatt noted that MassDEP has seen significant funding and personnel cuts since 2009, and called for fee assessments directed to a dedicated fund if the pollution program were to be transferred to state hands.

The rivers alliance said in a June 20 letter that any water pollution oversight program must ensure adequate and sustainable funding, improve the permit appeals process, and shield MassDEP from political interference.

Not all environmental groups opposed Baker's bill. The Connecticut River Watershed Council had expressed optimism that MassDEP could work with stakeholders to create a "gold standard" program for preventing and abating water pollution.

"We're disappointed a negotiated solution couldn't be found this session," said watershed council Executive Director Andrew Fisk. "We believe that a robust clean water program can be rebuilt at DEP."

The EPA has not been stellar in enforcing its own permits. Last year the watershed council sued Chang Farms, located on the Connecticut River in Whately, for chronic, documented violations of its federal water pollution permit after the EPA repeatedly failed to take enforcement action. Chang settled the suit in April for $78,000.

The federal agency issues and enforces Clean Water Act permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or NPDES. The permits are supposed to be renewed every five years.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com.

The store, All Day Vapors, will be operated by Jay Scott Howe Jr., who told the Wilbraham Zoning Board of Appeals that e-juice helped him to quit smoking.

WILBRAHAM -- The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a special permit for an e-liquids and vaping devices retail store at 2110 Boston Road.

The store, All Day Vapors, will be owned and operated by Jay Scott Howe Jr. on the first floor of a vacant building Howe said he is leasing from Demers Family Realty. The building is across from the vacant Medeiros-Williams car shop on Boston Road and has about seven parking spaces.

Howe told the board at a Thursday night meeting that e-liquids helped him to quit smoking. Howe said that vaping, or using e-cigarettes, is a "better health choice than smoking." There are several other vape shops in Wilbraham, Howe said.

Health officials are still debating whether e-cigarettes, which contain nicotine, are safer than cigarettes and whether they may get young people started on smoking.

The Ludlow Board of Health has banned the sale of flavored tobacco and vape juice or e-juice -- the nicotine-based liquid used in electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizers -- unless it is sold in a smoke shop. The age for being admitted to a smoke shop in Ludlow is 21.

The age to be admitted to Howe's shop will be 18. Howe said he thinks the average age of his customer base will be 25 to 40.

There is a bill in the state Legislature to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products in Massachusetts to 21. Howe said that if the bill becomes law, he does not think it will have a significant impact on his business.

Howe said he thinks he can sell $30,000 worth of vape juice per month.

He said he will have a security system with cameras and censors for his business, and will install outdoor lighting appropriate to the Boston Road area.

The shop will be open seven days a week. On weekdays, the hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., with shorter hours on weekends.

Appeals Board Chairman Edward Kivari said there are vacant businesses on Boston Road, and the business will be an improvement to the area.

"This area needs an occupant," Kivari said. "This would be an improvement."

Howe said he will card everyone who buys e-juice from him and will sell to no one under 18.

"Be a good neighbor. We wish you the best," Kivari said.

The Holyoke Care Center alternative school had its largest graduating class to date of 41 young women who earned high school-equivalency diplomas in a ceremony held in the Wistariahurst Museum garden, 238 Cabot St.

HOLYOKE -- Kaitlyn Simmons, 17, said that what she felt upon receiving her high school-equivalency diploma Friday was pride and not regret that getting pregnant had forced her to drop out of school.

"I'm proud of myself, I guess. I did it for my son and I did it for my mom. My mom passed away. She died in September," Simmons said.

She was among 41 young women who combined to make this the largest graduating class to date of The Care Center alternative school. The ceremony was held in the Wistariahurst Museum garden, 238 Cabot St.

State Rep. Aaron M. Vega, D-Holyoke, said he was impressed with how graduates handled challenges.

"I'm proud to support the Care Center and the great work they do. I am hopeful these young women will continue their education, continue to be positive role models to their children and work to improve our community. I congratulate all of this years graduates and am impressed by their strength and determination," Vega said.

Simmons said her son Kaidenn will turn 1 next week. No regret, she said, that the path of her life took her to the alternative school here at 247 Cabot St.

"Definitely not. It was good for me. It definitely pushed me forward," Simmons said.

Executive Director Anne Teschner said the Care Center worked harder than ever this year to spread the word in the community about the availability of the alternative school and to the young women themselves about the importance of getting the diploma.

"Our normal is like 20. Thirty is good. Forty-one is out of the ballpark," Teschner said.

"We probably had 200 people, 250 people here and there was such a feeling of just buoyancy, 'My daughter did this, my sister did this.' You could feel it in the crowd. Our community is on the rise and we like it," she said.

The Care Center is supported by numerous funding sources including the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and donors in the region, a press release said.

Here is the list of graduates:

Springfield Plaza was once an airport and home of the Gee-Bee aircraft.

SPRINGFIELD -- New sidewalks, new signs and new lights mean a world of difference for Springfield Plaza shopping Center on Liberty Street.

And local realtors had good news to report. 

Here are five business stories you might have missed:

1) Springfield Plaza gets new facade, signage, lighting

Work also included taking down the portico over the walkway. New owners who bought the plaza in 2015 felt the roof made the shopping center feel dark and look out of date. Springfield Plaza was once an airport and home of the Gee-Bee aircraft. 

2) Opening of Springfield Union Station platform delayed

The station itself will be completed in December and open in January. But passengers will have to use the station platform that's already in use, not the new one as had been hoped. The delay will allow time for the platform to be rebuilt to allow a full six feet of floor between the head house -- the building where the stairs and elevator are -- and the edge of the platform.

6-inch discrepancy leads to Springfield Union Station delay

and in a follow-up to some of our earlier coverage:

As search for missing Union Station benches continues, Springfield officials contact Putnam Academy, hoping students can rebuild them

3) Pioneer Valley home sales up 19 percent, median price up $4,061

Home sales in the Pioneer Valley rose 19.4 percent in May compared with a year ago, and the median price is up 2 percent, according to data shared Tuesday by the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley.

4) MassDOT says I-91 Springfield south demolition starts in July

The contractor is placing sections of the new Interstate 91 northbound bridge deck. Demolition of the I-91 southbound bridge deck is scheduled to begin soon. It takes a lot of re-bar to put that highway back together.

How much concrete does it take to fix a highway viaduct? I-91 construction by the numbers

5) Lots of changes may, or may not, be coming to area performance venues:

State: MGM-Comcast partnership not the only bidder on MassMutual Center

and

 Springfield seeks bids to run Symphony Hall through 2018

Here are all the deeds registered in Western Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley for the week ending July 3, 2016

Agawam

Adrienne N. Major to Nicole M. Witaszek, 86 Corey Colonial, $125,000.

Calabrese Construction LLC, to Richard J. Olson, 41 Spencer St., $210,000.

Carl S. Keller and Iris T. Keller to Jose M. Merced, 92 Barney St., $271,000.

Daniel E. Uttberg and Angela M. Uttberg to Donna L. Makuch, 19E Castle Hill Road, $219,000.

David Curley and Gail Curley to Darcy J. Dumaine, 30 Corey Colonial, Unit 30, $125,000.

Edward M. Bryant and Linda L. Afonso to Meredith Ann Thomas, 422 South Westfield St., $149,900.

U. S. A. Housing & Urban Development to Scott Ross and Carole Ross, 83 Beekman Drive, $110,275.

Leigh G. Mahoney and Brandon J. Mahoney to Denise A. Coelln, 794 Suffield St., $178,000.

Marnie T. Budreau to Ronald H. Corliss and Sharon M. Corliss, 129 Elizabeth St., $460,000.

Philip C. Ronca and Anna M. Ronca to Sergey V. Radionov and Natalya M. Radionov, 48 Nicole Terrace, $275,000.

Randall L. Noftall and Nancy J. Noftall to Jonathan J. Mendez-Rosado and Emily F. Mendez, 62 Granger Drive, $229,000.

Richard F. Devall Jr., representative, and Virginia M. Devall, estate, to Michael G. Rijos Sr., 892 North St., $180,000.

William C. Collins to Dominic Kirchner(II, trustee, and Eagle Crest Realty Trust, trustee of, 22 Merrell Drive, $60,000.

Amherst

Eduardo C. Bejar, trustee and Eduardo C. Bejar Living Trust to Chao Xiao, Webster Court, $162,000.

Edward P. Robert, Suzanne E. Robert, Hubert E. Robert Jr., personal representative, Marjorie Leddy Robert, estate, and Marjorie L. Robert, estate, to Hubert E. Robert Jr., 570 Bay Road, $250,000.

Grethe B. Camp to Jonathan T. Sikes, 15 Wentworth Manor Drive, $292,000.

Beverly Weeks, trustee, and Beverly J. Weeks Living Trust to Terence J. Masterson, 26 Greenleaves Drive, $150,000.

Christopher J. Diamond Jr., and Hallie C. Hughes to Miranda Balkin, Clio Stearns and Richard Balkin, 591 Bay Road, $423,000.

Wei Ding and Lan Ji to Gui Dongi Liang and Mei Jiang, 138 Columbia Drive, $290,000.
Martin B. Karlin and Susan L. Karlin to Michael S. McLaughlin and Kara J. Maloney, 47 Chesterfield Drive, $324,000.

Wing Yiu Ho and Man Ying Wu to Richard Iacovelli, 4 Dwight Circle, $240,000.

James M. Rodrigue to Tracy S. Chhun and Somann Pin, 147 Bay Road, $270,000.

Jean E. Joy, Robert J. Joy and Jean Joy, power of attorney, to Ronald W. Keith and Kyle R. Keith, 119 North Whitney St., $50,000.

Belchertown

Mary M. Keroack to Mark A. Keroack, Shea Avenue, $41,000.

David Ian Bell and Beverly June Margaret Bell to Nikki Laforte and Ethan Laforte, 96 Amherst Road, and Route 9, $209,900.

Tillie M. Szydlowski, Michaline M. Szydlowski, Estelle Benjamin and Michael S. Szydlowski to Carl R. Nolan and Diane M. Nolan, 401 South St., $148,000.

Christopher A. Desorcy, Jodi L. Desorcy and Jodi L. Laprade to Hyman G. Darling, 37 Warner St., $100.

Averi W. Luscomb and Averi Luscomb to Roland R. Chagnon III, and Rachel L. Chagnon, 28 Ledgewood Circle, $271,000.

Beverly M. Jackson, trustee, Derek Gariepy, trustee, and George B. Jackson Revocable Trust to 20 Stadler Street LLC, Stadler Street, $197,500.

Peter K. Rosengarten Jr., and Mindy E. Rosengarten to Bobbie Kendall, 29 Allen St., and 29 Allen Road, $299,900.

J. N. Duquette & Son Construction Inc., to Matthew G. Sherwood and Melissa C. Sherwood, 34 Hickory Hill, $415,000.

Brimfield

Michael D. Houle, Greater Mutsikwi Houle and Greater Mutsikwi to Mai Hong Nguyen and Hanh My Nguyen, 17 Carriage Drive, $460,000.

Chicopee

Aleksandr Kiforishin to Janine M. Anderson, 343 Chicopee St., Unit 34, $97,000.

Anne J. Avakian to Robert Ferris, 67 Applewod Drive, Unit 67, $85,000.

Citifinancial Servicing LLC, to Thomas J. Malek, 34 Wintworth St., $41,100.

Crystal Hynek, Crystal Felsentreger and Jason Hynek to Kyle S. Henrich and Justin Williams, 252 Nonotuck Ave., $215,000.

Daniel S. Korkosz, Marylinda Kruzel and Suzanna R. Haskins to Anastasiya Sevostyanova and Nikolay Sevostyanov, 126 Valier Ave., $149,900.

Dawn A. Smith to Anatoliy Kaletin and Irina Kaletina, 152 Clarendon St., $110,000.

Diane D. Afonso to Pawel A. Karbarz, 23 Regency Court, Unit 19, $163,500.

Joseph A. Croteau, Catherine A. Croteau, Geoffrey J. Croteau, Geoffroy J. Croteau and Erin Croteau to Roberto W. Cruz, 23 Trilby Ave, $190,000.

Josephine A. Geissler to Carmen M. Jimenez, 31 Alfred St., $190,000.

Michelle Larocque and Wayne Larocque to Jeffrey M. Picard, College St., $56,500.

Paul Baldiga to Josephine A. Geissler, 34 Horseshoe Drive, $131,000.

Ronald H. Corliss and Sharon M. Corliss to William E. Kieda and Mary N. Kieda, 70 Old Fuller Road Extension, $229,450.

Tomasz Karas to Erick M. Santana-Colon and Anette Rivera-Garcia, 109 Stedman St., $200,000.

U. S. Bank, trustee, to Robert G. Gordon Jr., and Karen L. Kryla, 28 Amherst St., $142,000.

East Longmeadow

Judith O. Lawrence, Judith O. Brown and Charles Lawrence to James R. Goldrick and Victoria F. Babb, 93 Barrie Road, $250,000.

Lauren T. Morgan and David Morgan to Carolina L. Joos and Juan P. Quagliotti Taullard, 125 Parker St., $205,000.

Marguerite F. Crawford to Valerie D. Valentine-Shaw, 38 Kenneth Lunden Drive, $265,000.

Nancy Dusek-Gomez to Emily C. Lapointe and Christopher E. Lapointe, 66 Glen Heather Lane, $249,000.

Easthampton

Richard B. O'Neil and Norine L. O'Neil to Patrick E. O'Neil, Richard B. O'Neil II, and Conor W. O'Neil, 5 Lukes Way, $100.

Christopher J. Jolicoeur and Nichole Jolicoeur to Patrick A. Foley and Mary M. Foley, 5 Laurin Lane, $299,000.

William Flanagan to Linda Leavenworth and Chester Myslinski, 34 Ashley Circle, $371,000.

Robert S. Cowell Jr., and Lisa A. Cowell to Charlotte C. Lawrence and John G. Graiff, 29 East Maple St., $321,000.

Granby

Raymond E. Miller and Pamela J. Miller to Westover Metropolitan Development Corp., 15 Sherwood Drive, $215,000.

Francisco O. Perez, Reyna E. Palacios-Perez and Reyna E. Palacios to James A. Guzman Jr., and Heather P. Guzman, 16 Griswold Circle, $212,500.

Hadley

U. S. Bank NA, trustee, LXS 2007-16N Trust Fund and Nationstar Mortgage LLC, attorney-in-fact, to Isaac Chow, 122 West St., $245,700.

William M. Zaskey, trustee, Joanne B. Zaskey, trustee, and Zaskey Family Revocable Living Trust to Peter R. Heronemus, 115 M. Warner Road, $210,000.

Hatfield

William Belden, William A. Belden, Jean Belden and Jean M. Belden to Allen W. Belden and Daphne M. Gordon, 177 Pantry Road, and Pantry Road Off, $100.

Holland

Kenneth C. Owen and Patricia T. Owen to Jameson Lewis Lloyd and Jennifer Lynn Lloyd, 17 Pine Tree Drive, $269,000.

Holyoke

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency to Katherine T. Daly, 37 Saint Kolbe Drive, Unit D, $63,250.

David J. Meunier, Michaele Marie Huston, Jeanne T. King and Mary Jo Pare to Stephen C. Konstantinidis and Ellen L. Little, 88 Lynch Drive, $180,000.

Kristin M. Aimi to Timothy D. Burgos and Lissette Burgos, 47 Norwood Terrace, $205,000.

Lester G. Provost and Maryellen L. Provost to Catina Galanes Grass, 33 George St., $230,000.

Sandra B. Hindle, Sandra A. Hindle and Sandra B. Pychewicz to Kirk Krause and Amanda Krause, 2 Whittier Circle, $280,000.

Steven Michalewicz and Brian Michalewicz to Cathleen M. Lee, 238 Hillside Ave., $130,000.

U. S. Bank Trust, trustee, and Trust Queens Park Oval Asset Holding to Ismael Andes Vives Cruz, 11 Owens Place, $20,000.

Huntington

Laurie Clement Jasmin and Heather Cabral to Ethan J. Cowles and Laurien F. Chaves, 23 Upper Russell Road, $162,000.

Henry E. Thomas and Debora J. Thomas to Anne Marie Picard and Frank Picard, 10 Russell Road, $193,000.

Longmeadow

Dean F. Curtis to Breandan Ireland and Samantha Ireland, 53 Willett Drive, $345,000.

Fannie Mae and Federal National Mortgage Association to Robert Kushner, 681 Converse St., $261,000.

Jeffrey Hopkins, Linda Underwood, John Hopkins and Katherine Humphrey to Commonwealth Title Services LLC, 859 Longmeadow St., $185,000.

Ludlow

David E. Sasur and Patricia A. Sasur to David L. Illingsworth and Mary A. Illingsworth, 308 Miller St., Unit 15, $305,000.

Kenneth R. Breault and Deborah Breault to Scott Hawkins, Denielle Hawkins and Jacqueline Perlak, 138 Center St., $185,400.

Monson

Charles E. Baker II, and Rebecca Paniagua to Madeline R. Goodrich, 170 Bumstead Road, $167,000.

Jacob M. Rylander and Rachael E. Rylander to Nathan C. Eckhoff and Caitlin E. Eckhoff, 233 Cedar Swamp Road, $265,000.

Robert E. Mason, representative, and Erika Mason, estate, to Richard C. Armida, Bunyan Road, $16,500.

Northampton

Community Enterprises Inc., to Ritmar Realty Corp. 441 Pleasant St., $800,000.

Linda E. McDonough to Elizabeth Sudler, 55 South St., $320,000.

Matthew J. Fine and Bonnie J. Fine to Rebecca E. Hamlin and Thomas M. Annese, 543 Riverside Drive, and Bay State Road, $362,950.

Patricia A. Palmer to Sherry L. Taylor, 19 Edwards Square, $207,000.

Eugene Y. Ferrer, Michele G. Curry and E. Y. Ferrer to Christopher K. O'Connor and Sarah J. Heim, 854 Florence Road, $783,000.

Rita Christine Marhefka, estate, Rita C. Marhefka, estate, and Deborah Isles, personal representative, to Bruce Harrison Jr., and Viktoriia Harrison, 23 Randolph Place, $170,000.

Bridge Road LLC and Saloomey Development Inc., to Marc G. Weinberger and Sharon Weinberger, 20 Bridge Road, $441,357.

Sonja Farak and Nikki M. Lee to Jean Listinsky, 37 Laurel Park, $109,000.

People United Bank and Peoples United Bank NA to Sunwood Development Corp., Florence Road, $70,000.

Ralph McDonald and Kyle McDonald to Russell J. Mayhew and Ellen F. Mayhew, 437 Spring St., $240,000.

Emerson Way LLC, to Richard Cianflone and Gregory Scharfen, 60 Emerson Way, $122,500.

Sharon H. Deal to Safe Jouneys LLC, 32-34 Vernon St., $510,000.

Palmer

James M. Hurley to William H. Fitzpatrick, 1624 North Main St., $229,000.

Scott H. Kozak to Dianne A. Gilligan, 189 State St., $129,900.

Wesley J. Pascale to Bryan Moller and Cynthia Moller, 25 Robinson Road, $309,000.

South Hadley

Karen A. Couture, Karen A. Couture, executor, and Steven E. Olesiak, estate, to Center Redevelopment Corp., 6 Hadley St., $200,000.

Charles A. Boulais Jr., and Irene T. Boulais to Messina J. O'Grady and Shannon L. Christie, 20 Doane Terrace, $322,000.

Michael P. Lucchesi, personal representative, and Peter P. Lucchesi III, estate, to Irene Lucchesi, 514 River Road, and 600 Lower River Road, $100.

Irene Lucchesi to Lorelei L. Raymundo, 514 River Road, and 600 Lower River Road, $307,500.

Jung . H. Yung and Joel C. Anderson to Michael P. Mazur Jr., and Shannon L. Mazur, 66 Amherst Road, $295,000.

Ronald S. Curran and Ann Marie Curran to Jared J. Schwartzer and Mari C. Schwartzer, 22 Ashton Lane, $360,000.

John L. Champagne and Penelope Champagne to Katherine B. Jacobson and Aaron J. Jacobson, 17 Red Bridge Lane, $442,500.

Allan Jeffrey Green and Kimberlee M. Green to Robert M. Nichols and Linda D. Nichols, 76 Shadowbrook Estate, $$374,900.

Lawrence D. Williams and Geraldine J. Williams to Corey Adam Koske, 265 Morgan St., $215,000.

Evan E. Kelley and Christine Kelley to Roland A. Gregoire and Margaret H. Gregoire, 19 Alvord Place, $182,500.

Southampton

Glenn R. West and Lisa A. West to Grzegorz F. Robak and Renata U. Robak, 27 Katelyn Way, $105,000.

Gail A. Gehm to Gail A. Gehn , trustee, and Gail A Gehm Trust, 46 Line St., $100.

RGB Industries Inc., to G & F Custom Built Homes Inc., Halon Way, $120,000.

RGB Industries Inc., to F & G Development Corp., Halons Way, $120,000.

William C. Belisle and Jeanne E. Belisle to Matthew S. Gangne, 167 Brickyard Road, $259,900.

Southwick

20 Depot Square LLC, to Guy J. Barbieri and Sandra L. Barbieri, 17 Southwick Hill, Unit 27B, $319,900.

Cara R. Balboni and Renee L. Steese to Shawn W. Howard and Alyssa .C Howard, 33 Lauren Lane, $546,000.

CCC Real Estate Holding Co LLC, to Hudson Holdings LLC, 55 Hudson Drive, $460,000.

Donna L. Makuch to William H. G. White and Joann T. White, 37 George Loomis Road, $255,000.

Susan M. Sclafani to Paul R. Petit and Anne M. Petit, 11 Rails End Road, Unit 4A, $330,000.

Springfield

All Waste Management LLP and Talal Soffan to Keya M. Hicks, 63 Waldorf St., $149,500.

Amanda M. Maynard, Amanda M. Robert and Matthew Maynard to Geraldine A. Brasin, 72 Squire Lane, $252,500.

Ann A. Libardi to Leonardo Toro, 267 Boston Road, $20,000.

Blanka Suchy-Mechem to Stefanie Flynn, 60 Blake St., $135,000.

Brad Dimiero and Anne M. Dimiero to Alma L. Cedeno, 41 Old Point St., $115,500.

Bryant M. Melluzzo, Shannon G. Melluzzo and Shannon G. Namislo to William Gonzalez Crespo, 40-42 Belvidere St., $168,000.

Carlina Caceres to Armory Street Holdings LLC, 125 Federal St., $130,000.

Carlos R. Aviles and Isabel Aviles to Mindy E. Rosengarten, 46 Willowbrook Drive, $165,000.

Carmine Santaniello and Patricia Santaniello to Albert J. Billings Jr., and Albert .J Billings, 151 Vincent St., $177,000.

Daniel J. Dinoia, Diane A. Marsh, Mary Ann T. Dinoia, representative, and Stephen A. Dinoia, estate, to Pavel D. Ivanov, 280 Dwight Road, $78,000.

David C. Brinnel, Susan A. Dagostino, Irene F. Avyalla and Irene F. Avylla to Richard S. Baker and Susan E. Baker, 44 Smithfield Court, $137,000.

David W. Dearden, Michelle G. Dearden and Michelle G. Goodreau to Yasbel Colon, 10 Monrovia St., $117,500.

Deborah A. Burzdak to Mary Elizabeth Beach, 553 Nassau Drive, Unit 553, $125,000.

Eileen M. Morrow to Darwin Salinas, 16 Barrison St., $124,000.

Erik R. Strom Jr., to Joseph Alvarado, 125 Fair Oak Road, $145,000.

Eugene J. Laford, Mary Eileen Laford and M. Eileen Laford to Carlo J. Dilizia, 167 Thompson St., $20,000.

J & M Property & Development LLC, to Deluca Development Corp., 199 Quincy St., $40,000.

James W. Fiore to Ana M. Pabellon, 71 Milford St., $61,890.

John A. Jones, representative, and Willie M. Robinson, estate, to C & L Enterprise LLC, 1119 Worthington St., $65,000.

Joseph P. Zalewski , representative, and John Joseph Foley, estate, to Francis Bateman, trustee, and New Chicopee Trust, trustee of, 105 East St., $66,250.

Karla P. Shea, Karla A. Pelto, Judith L. Szczygiel and Judith L. Gregg to Kenneth R. Breault and Deborah W. Breault, 34 Cornell St., $139,000.

Living Stone LLC, Springfield City Housing Code Enforcement and Theodore C .Jarrett Jr., to Living Stone LLC, 82 Temple St., $5,000.

Lori Judd Cohen, representative, Lori Judd, representative, and Jane H Judd, estate, to Manny Ngoc Son and Thuong Thi Ly, 56 Marengo Parkk, $132,500.

Mary P. Murray to Lousleily A. Vega, 23 Castle St., $155,000.

Neill Borowski to Marilyn Nelson, 57-59 Edgewood St., $7,000.

Peter J. Lacamera and Kimberly Anne Lacamera to U. S. Bank, trustee, 81 Dwight Road, $196,669.

Philip C. Macken Jr., to Federal National Mortgage Association, 171 Balboa Drive, $134,806.

Richard T. Longo to Carmen Reyes, 72-74 Forest Park Ave., $170,000.

Seajay Group LLC, to Rainey Wise, 19-21 Glenwood St., $180,000.

Sean V. Rebman and Tracy D. Rebman to Manuel Shirley, 139 Talbot Road, $165,000.

Springfield City to Joseph Wanyama, 46 Wellesley St., $12,600.

Susan M. Provost and Beverly Provost to Richard D. Baez and Dianilyz Baez, 12 Danaher Circle, $166,000.

U. S. Bank Trust, trustee, to Miguel Rivera, 11 Hartford Terrace, $157,900.

ATL-PO Properties/Sandra Presswood, trustee of, Sandra Presswood, trustee, and ATL PO Properties/Sandra Presswood 401k Plan to Colin P. Kirby Jr., and Colin Kirby, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 620, $43,304.

Tolland

Kevin S. Sheehan to Rosamond J. Campbell, trustee, and Rosamond J. Campbell Trust, trustee of, Robins Rest, $32,500.

Ware

William H. Whitley and Dorothy M. Whitley to J. D. Littlewolf Beaudry Jr., 5 Berkshire Circle, and Berkshire Drive Circle, $219,500.

Mark G. Jackson, Robert J. Henrichon, estate, and Elaine A. Henrichon, personal representative, to Carl F. Banas, 41-43 Old Belchertown Road, $55,000.

Edward P. Robert, Suzanne E. Robert, Hubert E. Robert Jr., personal representative, Marjorie Leddy Robert, estate, and Marjorie L. Robert, estate, to Hubert E. Robert Jr., Babcock Tavern Road, $45,000.

Kathryn E. Boyd to Joseph F. Pasternak III, Inc., 3 Beaver Road, $217,000.

Peter Warren to Thomas P. Cummings and Attree Cummings, 60 Maple Ave., $189,000.

Westhampton

Randall H. Pyrro and Catherine A. Pyrro to Richard E. Matteson, 65 Reservoir Road, $248,000.

George C. Melega and David F. Haines III, to Wayne C. English, Northwest Road, $34,000.

West Springfield

Anatoli Kondratiouk and Tatiana Kondratiouk to Andrii Zhyhaniuk, 68 Worthen St., Unit 2, $180,000.

Brian M. Candon and Melissa Candon to Randall H. Pyrro and Catherine A. Pyrro, 52 Ely Ave., $242,000.

Elaine B. Shusterman and Elaine B. Nathan to Norman A. Thomas, 14-16 Queen Ave., $35,000.

Heritage Ventures LLC, to David Thompson Jr., and Antonio Harrell, 1900 Westfield St., $255,000.

James L. Willemain and Christine A. Willemain to Matthew M. Vallan, 113 Circle Drive, $210,000.

Muhammad A. Sabir to Mali Inc., 189 Piper Road, $280,000.

Nancy L Pellegrino, representative, and Ernest A. Anti, estate, to John J. Taskey Jr., and Mary C. Taskey, 116 Jensen Circle, $145,000.

Nationstar Mortgage LLC, to Dominic Kirchner II, trustee and Pineview Realty Trust, trustee of, 109 Morton St., $100,600.

Ryan P. Murray, Marylynn C. Murray and Marylynn Connor to Brian M. Candon and Melissa Candon, 91 Westwood Drive, $246,450.

Thomas J. Dion and Sandra A. Dion to Linh Huynh and Oanh Ly, 22 Cedar Woods Glen, $510,000.

Westfield

Adelard P. Dumaine and Darcy J. Dumaine to Ronald A. Roux and Sarah A. Roux, 79 Woodsong Road, $315,000.

First Nationwide Realty Inc., to Anatoliy I. Ovdiychuk, 10 Smith Ave., $185,000.

Guy J. Barbieri and Sandra L. Barbieri to Eric J. Lucas and Stacy K. Lucas, 72 Plantation Circle, $375,000.

Jason C. Colbath and Christina A. Colbath to Brian Boglisch and Erin O'Connor, 36 Bowdoin St., $214,000.

Kenneth P. Crosscup and Marilyn E. Crosscup to Elizabeth Aucoin and Matthew Frenzen, 11 Meadowbrook Lane, $230,000.

Marc Soucy, Gretchen W. Soucy and Gretchen W. Ritchie to Marianelle Amaya, 80 Brookline Ave., $181,900.

Paul C. Speckels and Lucille J. Speckels to Aaron J. Kremer and Alena V. Kremer, 206 Fowler Road, $268,000.

Wilbraham

Bradley Silver and Amelia Silver to Michael .F Hebb and Donna M. Hebb, 2 Porter Drive, $315,000.

James S. Burke to Wilbraham & Monson Academy, 39 Faculty St., $300,000.

Linda Lastoff to Sarah A. Binney, 83 High Pine Circle, $296,000.

Michael G. Dowding, representative, and John W. Dowding, estate, to Wendy Beth Robinson, trustee, and Willard E. Hick III, & Donna P. Hick Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, 6 Spruce Drive, $290,000.

Shannon A. Pons and Stephanie M. Pons to Cynthia Richards, 23 Briar Cliff Drive, $650,000.

Williamsburg

Timothy A. Bates, Norman C. Bates Jr., Terry Paquin, Robert W. Bates and Debra B. Costello to Edward F. O'Neil III, and Jean L. O'Neil, 94 Chesterfield Road, $65,000.

Clary Road LLC, and Snow Farm LLC, to Snow Farm and New England Craft Program Inc., 5 Clary Road, $1,125,000.

Brenda L. Robertson to Lawrence E. West and Linda A. West, 97 Main St., Main Road, and Route 9, $185,000.

Worthington

George Buske to David Buske and Joy Zen S. Buske, 392 Dingle Road, $100.

Mark Laramee had opened the restaurant at 912 Main St. in January 2015.

SPRINGFIELD - Blackjack Steahouse in the city's South End has closed its doors with the owner saying he could not overcome the crime-ridden image of Main Street.

Owner Mark Laramee announced the closing on the restaurant's Facebook page on Saturday. 

"It is with a heavy heart to announce that I closed the doors of Blackjack Steakhouse. I want to say THANK you to all the wonderful guests that came and enjoyed the food, service and ambience that I tried to provide. It was an incredible journey. Enjoy life to it's fullest and never let an opportunity past you by. Thank you!!!"

In response to numerous comments from patrons saddened by the news, Laramee blamed the closing on location, crime and public perception. He agreed with a commenter that Springfield needed to devote more energy to curbing crime and assisting businesses.

"There are 3 important things in both businesses and that is Location, Location and Location. Anyone who knows Springfield and listens to the news will now know and understand why... Please only be sorry that Springfield isn't a better place to visit. Then maybe more people would have come in to enjoy Blackjack Steakhouse and the hospitality... I just can't make the location better. I hope MGM can, I'm just to small to make a difference."

The restaurant at 912 Main St. was located just a few blocks away from the site of the MGM Springfield casino, which is now under construction.

Laramee  and general manager Michael Ratte had opened the restaurant in January 2015.

Laramee was the landlord and financial backer of Carpaccio at that location until that concept failed after about six months of operation. He brought in old friend Ratte, who owned L'uVa restaurant at 1680 Main St. from 2003 until its closing in 2008.

It's the Fourth of July and you need to run a quick errand. But is the destination open?

SPRINGFIELD -- It's the Fourth of July and you need to run a quick errand. But is the destination open?

You will not be able to mail a package or deposit a check Monday as the banks and post office are closed for the federal and state holiday. 

Many businesses - including supermarkets and liquor stores - are open for last-minute purchases.

The following businesses are open today, some with limited hours. 

Big Y: The supermarket chain is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Fourth. 

CVS: The stores are open regular hours today. 

Liquors 44: The chain will sell beer, wine and spirits from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Independence Day. 

Stop & Shop: Open for regular business hours, which varies at each store. 

Target: Open for regular hours. 

Walgreens: The stores' pharmacies are closed today while the stores are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Wal-mart: Open regular hours. 

Fourth of July 2016 fireworks schedule

Interstate 91 is an active construction site.

SPRINGFIELD -- Spectators shouldn't watch Spirit of Springfield's annual Star Spangled Springfield Fourth of July fireworks display Monday night from Interstate 91 or from its on- and off-ramps, city officials said.

In a news release, the office of Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the interstate is an active construction zone.

• Under no circumstances should anyone attempt to park or walk on the highway or the closed I-91 ramps. State police detail officers will be posted at the ramps and Springfield police will also patrol the areas to ensure that they are not used inappropriately.
• I-91 is an interstate highway with busy on- and off-ramps. The highway and ramps are not safe places to slow down or park to watch the fireworks over the Memorial Bridge. Drivers are urged to obey posted speed limits and use caution in the construction area at all times.

The Spirit of Springfield show goes off from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m. Riverfront Park is the main viewing area.

MassDOT said it will suspend construction work on all its projects for the July 4 weekend, that includes the I-91 project.

This is Chesterfield's 69th annual Independence Day parade.

CHESTERFIELD -- Chesterfield, a Hampshire County town where just one crossroads and few dozen dwellings suffice for a downtown, filled Monday with patriotism and spectators for a Fourth of July parade out of Norman Rockwell.

"I love this parade because of the people it brings to this small town," said Russell Peotter, a volunteer who served as announcer. "It's just a great a great small town event. Old fashioned."

One that draws an international audience. The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute has long brought students in its international Civic Initiative program, in Amherst for a summer of study, to get a taste of American civic pride.

This year, the group included 83 students from 23 countries including 18 students from Iraq, said Michael Hannahan, director of the Civic Initiative program.

Aggee Mugabe, a native of Rwanda, is a university professor teaching political science. He smiled broadly at small children dancing with American flags.

"It's very interesting," he said. "It's is wonderful to see how excited everyone is."

Parker Snape was one of the few Chesterfield natives visiting her first parade, understandable only because she's less than a year old.

"But we've been coming forever," said mother Kim Snape as she walked through the route with husband Keith. "It's part of being from Chesterfield."

American Legion Cummington Post 304 Commander Conrad Liebenow led off the marching units with a small group of veterans. He was followed by all manner of scouts, motorcyclists and antique cars, including a truck that helped build the Alcan Highway in Alaska during World War II.

Firefighters marched, giving children a chance to ride on the gleaming pumpers. A forest fire crew complete with Smokey Bear made sure Peotter let  folks know how dry the woods are and to be very careful with fire this July 4.