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WEATHER TONIGHT Clear Skies. Low of 27.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Is it worse to be scared than to be bored, that is the question.” — GERTRUDE STEIN
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 68
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MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2016
State lawmakers talk politics over pancakes WESTFIELD (WWLP) – It’s a 16-year tradition. The Annual Western Massachusetts Legislators Pancake Brunch was held at the Pomeroy Sugar House in Westfield. Lawmakers from across the Pioneer Valley attended the event, organized by State Senator Don Humason. The goal is to talk, informally, about legislative priorities around agriculture. The pancake brunch was originally created just for state lawmakers, but this year, the invitation was extended to mayors, city councilors and their spouses. State Senator Don Humason said he thinks it’s important for lawmakers to gather in a casual setting for a change. “You find that you’ll get along a lot better formally around the business table after you’ve sat around the breakfast table where you can informally gather, share some coffee, eat some pancakes and have a little bit of a good time,” he said. The annual pancake brunch was first started by former Westfield State Senator Mike Knapik. Maura Wurster and Hannah Baker of the Sons of Erin carry the Westfield banner at the start of the Whip City contingent in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day parade. They are followed by the American Legion Post 124 color guard. See additional photos Page 7. (Photo ©2016 Carl E.Hartdegen)
Annual St. Patrick’s Day parade
Lynda Cavanaugh, the Sons of Erin’s Irishwoman of the Year, rides the parade route ona musta- Dermot Hurley, the Sons of Erin’s Irishman of the Year, waves to chioed convertible reportedly once owned by the crowd as heparades with members of his family. (Photo ©2016 Kevin Regan. (Photo ©2016 Carl E. Hartdegen) Carl E. Hartdegen)
Western Mass Knights sled hockey at Amelia WESTFIELD (WWLP) – Athletes didn’t let their disability stop them from competing on the ice today in Westfield. Amelia Park Ice Arena in Westfield hosted two Western Mass Knights sled hockey games on Saturday as part of a fundraising effort. Sled Hockey players use sleds with two hockey skate blades mounted under the seat. This sport allows disabled athletes to play. Players on the teams range from ages 8-63. “It makes me feel free honestly it gives me a way to play hockey because I can’t skate, and it let you know you can do something you can be good at and you can believe it yourself out on the ice,” said Tristan Morse of Springfield. The proceeds of Saturday’s hockey games will go towards the Knights adult and junior sled hockey teams.
Former WSU security officer to be buried in Falmouth this week BOSTON (AP) – A funeral Mass was held in Florida on Friday for a deputy sheriff killed last weekend by a wrong way driver. Deputy Sheriff John Kotfila, Jr. grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Westfield State University. His father, Sgt. John Kotfila Sr., is a member of the Massachusetts State Police and his brother Michael is an officer of the Falmouth Police Department. Kotfila was 30-years-old and a 6 year veteran of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. A wake and funeral Mass will be held in Massachusetts. The wake will be held at the Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 475 Main St., Falmouth tomorrow from 4-8 p.m. A law enforcement walk-by will begin at 5 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 511 Main St., Falmouth, on Wednesday at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St Joseph’s Cemetery on Gifford Street in Falmouth.
Southwick offers free boating course By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Despite this morning’s snowy reminder that this is New England, it is officially spring and many residents are gearing up for boating season. Lake Management Director Richard Grannells hopes those residents will sign up for a boating basics and safety course, Boat Massachusetts, offered April 5-8 at Town Hall. “This course gives insight into how to operate a boat safely and state rules and regs,” said Grannells. “It also covers local town bylaws.” While state regulations govern all bodies of water, towns can make local bylaws a bit more strict. For instance, only Class I boats, less than 26 feet long, are allowed on Congamond. And, there is no towing, tubing or water skiing in any of the channels. “There’s always been state laws about no wake zones within 300 feet of a launch area, sand bar, swim beach, etc.,” said Grannells. “People used to ignore them, but now we have buoys out as a reminder. It doesn’t matter if you’re on Congamond or any other water body.” Grannells said Southwick Police take lake laws seriously. “Police are out enforcing and we have additional forces coming this year from the environmental police to patrol,” he said. Boating on the lakes is recreational, and Grannells said OUI is a serious offense on the water. “It is basically the same as operating a vehicle,” he said. Taking the course is a chance for boaters to learn something new, even if they have spent a lifetime on the water. “It’s a really good opportunity for people who may have taken it before because regulations do change,” said Grannells. In addition to the safety and law knowledge the course offers, Grannells said some insurance companies provide a discount to boat owners that complete the course. The course takes place April 5-8 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and registration is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Boat Massachusetts is offered at no charge by the Massachusetts Environmental Police and Town of Southwick. Visit www.mass.gov.ole and click on Boat and Recreational Vehicle Safety for information and to register.
Easter Egg hunt Westfield Technical Academy’s Tech Tiger entertains the crowd at Mayor Brian Sullivan’s first Easter Egg hunt in the fields behind South Middle School. See additional photos Page 3. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)