Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT
Winter Storm Warning! Low of 19.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com
What you need to know about the snowstorm The Associated Press The busy Northeast corridor prepared for a winter wallop that was expected to bring up to 2 feet of snow from northern New Jersey all the way up to Massachusetts. Here’s what residents of the big cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic need to know about the coming storm: SNOWSTORM VS. BLIZZARD: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for a huge swath of the region, meaning potential white-out conditions as heavy snow swirls amid gusting wind. The weather service says a blizzard includes sustained or frequent wind gusts of 35 mph or greater and considerable falling snow that lasts for at least three hours. This storm is expected to last up to 36 hours in some locations, forecasters said. AIR TRAVEL More than 1,700 flights scheduled for Monday are expected to be cancelled, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware. Most major airlines are allowing customers whose flights are canceled in the next few days to book new flights without paying a penalty. Customers ticketed on flights to dozens of Eastern airports are generally eligible for the allowance, though specific terms vary by airline. NEW YORK A blizzard expected to dump 1 to 2 feet of snow should begin around midday Monday and last through Tuesday night. Nearly 200 Monday flights had already been canceled Sunday night at the three major airports serving the city. BOSTON A blizzard warning will be in effect from 7 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Wednesday, with about 18 to 24 inches of snow forecast for the city, See What to Know, Page 3
of the world is that things left to themselves don’t get right.” — T.H. HUXLEY
75 cents
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 022
“My experience
Nor’easter looms with up to 2 feet of snow By VERENA DOBNIK Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — This morning’s commute was normal for much of the Northeast as officials continued to urge residents to prepare for a “crippling and potentially historic” storm that could bury communities from northern New Jersey to southern Maine in up to 2 feet of snow starting later in the day. The National Weather Service said the nor’easter would bring heavy snow, powerful winds and widespread coastal flooding through tomorrow. A blizzard warning was issued for a 250-mile stretch of the Northeast, including New York and Boston. Officials cautioned residents to not be misled by a relatively smooth morning commute. They warned that getting home could be difficult and asked residents to avoid any unnecessary travel. The morning commute was delayed today for drivers on a section of Interstate 81 near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A tractor-trailer jackknifed, and a truck hauling beer crashed into the median. No injuries were reported. Some schools were planning to close early or not open at all today in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Enfield, Connecticut. “We are monitoring the storm and we will be preA man walks past a large pile of snow near the D’Angelo Sandwich Shop in Westfield pared,” said Westfield Schools Superintendent Dr. after a snowstorm in 2014. (File photo by Suzanne Scallion. Government officials began to activate emergency Frederick Gore)
A car remains buried in the front lawn of a home on Point Grove Road in Southwick after a February 2014 snowstorm. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
Senate and build coalitions wherever possible. I am looking forward to continuing to work alongside my Republican colleagues in the Senate and with our Democrat colleagues as we serve the people of the Commonwealth.” Humason was re-elected by the voters of the Second Hampden and Hampshire District in November of 2014, following his first successful bid in a special election in November of 2013 when he succeeded former Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) following his resignation to accept a position with Westfield State University. Humason had been a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives since See Humason, Page 3
centers yesterday as professional sports teams, schools and utilities hastily revised their schedules and made preparations. Westfield Emergency Management Director Jim Wiggs said that preparations are coming along and that he has been in conversation with other city officials and is slated to speak with the city’s Public Health Department and Westfield Gas and Electric this afternoon. “This is another day in New England for us. All the teams know what they need to do,” said Wiggs this morning. “I told all of the department leads that Emergency Management is ready to roll into action if we have power outages.” “If we have power outages and there are public safety concerns, we need to have a plan in place (with Public Health and WG&E) to help our fellow citizens in need,” said Wiggs. Wiggs advises residents to stock up enough food to potentially last them for several days and to make sure their vehicles have full gas tanks in the event that they must travel somewhere when the roads are passable. “Make sure you’ve got gasoline for their snow blower, do a walk around your house and make sure your vents are clear,” he said. “That’s very important to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.” “Make sure you have an escape route out of your house and to go out periodically and shovel out your front door,” Wiggs said. “In the event that you need to get out or emergency personnel need to get in, there is an egress route for them to do so.” Making sure your cellphone is fully charged and having fresh batteries for your radio and flashlights are also important tips. Wiggs also advises to turn off the Wi-Fi in your home in the event of a power outage to conserve the battery life for your phone and to use your phone sparingly in the event of a power outage. “Pay attention to news broadcasts and if you have See Snowstorm, Page 3
No flights in or out of Logan during blizzard
Humason named Senate Minority Whip again BOSTON- Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) has named Senator Don Humason (R-2nd Hampden & Hampshire District) the Senate Minority Whip for the 2015-2016 legislative session. This is Humason’s second appointment as Minority Whip. In this leadership capacity, Humason will be responsible for coordinating the votes within the Senate Republican Caucus and assisting the Minority Leader in developing policy recommendations for the legislative session, while working to build further coalitions with members across the aisle. “I am honored to be appointed Minority Whip by Senator Tarr once again,” Humason said. “I appreciate his confidence in my abilities to navigate the legislative process in the
A Shaker Road resident in Westfield uses a roof rake to remove snow from a February 2014 storm. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
SEN. DON HUMASON
BOSTON (AP) — Officials at Boston’s Logan International Airport say no flights will be allowed to take off or land at the facility during the height of the blizzard heading to the region. The last flight out of Logan is expected to leave at about 7:30 p.m. Monday and no flights will land or take off on Tuesday. Ed Freni, director of aviation at the Massachusetts Port Authority, the agency that runs the airport, says the goal is to resume operations on Wednesday. The airport handles about 1,000 flights per day. Forecasters say two feet or more of snow could fall on the Boston area during the storm expected to affect a 250 mile stretch of the East Coast. Airlines are canceling thousands of flights in the region.
Westfield News Delivery Notice...
Real estate market recapped, forecasted
Due to the impending Winter Storm The Westfield News delivery may be impacted Tuesday. We will do our best to deliver, delays are likely.
By PETER FRANCIS Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD – Hampden County Register of Deeds Donald Ashe released his real estate projections for the county during his semiannual press conference last Wednesday on the fourth floor of the County’s Hall of Justice in Springfield. Ashe informed that the county experienced a “sub-par year”, with only $1.177 billion being spent on real estate in the county, which still has a 6.8 percent unemployment rate, above the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (5.8 percent)
For the latest news, always go to www.thewestfieldnews.com
and the United States (5.6 percent) rates. That $1.177 billion is still an increase of four percent from the previous year, when $1.134 billion was spent. This is due, in large part, to the arrival of MGM Springfield, who have carved out space in the city’s South End to erect their new resort casino and spent $28.7 million on the year. The Register of Deeds collected $11.794 million in revenue for the year, down 11 percent from 2013 when it brought in $13.224 million. See Market, Page 3
Saturday, January 31
st
Plunge Begins at 1:00 P.M. Pre-Registration Required for All Plungers Help Us Raise Money For Amelia Park Children’s Museum!
Dive in to
www.WestfieldPlunge.com for all the brisky details!
TED CASSELL
Hampton Ponds State Park Westfield, Mass.