New England News

An investigation has concluded that a Vermont state trooper was justified in the use of deadly force when he shot a man in a Danville school bus last year.

The  25th annual memorial service for western Massachusetts law enforcement officers was held on Wednesday in Springfield.

   The solemn service honored 47 people who lost their lives in the last hundred  plus years  while protecting the public safety in western Massachusetts. Four names were  added  to the end of watch roll call this year. Westfield Police Officer Jose Torres died last July after he was struck by a truck while directing traffic. His widow and son Jay were at the ceremony

The body of a Berkshire County native killed in Afghanistan earlier this month was welcomed home by supporters who lined the streets of downtown Pittsfield.

The body of 24-year old U.S. Army Specialist Mitchell Daehling arrived Wednesday morning at Barens Air National Guard Airport in Westfield, and shortly after 10:30 was transported through downtown Pittsfield to the Dery Funeral Home.

A long line of supporters gathered along South Street and North Street, many holding American flags.

Massachusetts Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Gabriel Gomez made campaign stops in the Berkshires yesterday where he stressed a bipartisan message. And according to local GOP officials, he’ll have to continue to work hard to win more support in a solidly Democratic part of the state.

There’s been a political shakeup on Beacon Hill. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray will leave the office shortly to take a job in the private sector in his home city of Worcester.

   Murray announced at an afternoon news conference that he intends to resign the office of Lt. Governor effective June 2 to take the job as President and CEO of the  Chamber of Commerce of Greater Worcester.   He described the decision as bittersweet.

Officials with MGM Resorts plan to kick off a campaign on Wednesday designed to convince voters in Springfield Massachusetts to approve a casino deal.

   MGM officials will be joined by  Mayor Domenic Sarno  and other backers of the casino on stage at Springfield Symphony Hall  late Wednesday afternoon to kick off the  campaign.  It will promote a yes vote on the city wide casino referendum scheduled for  July 16th. The chairman of an anti casino group, Michael Kogut, said a kick off rally for the campaign to defeat the referendum will take place next month.