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WEATHER TONIGHT Clear skies. Low of 53.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— ISADORA DUNCAN
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 84 NO. 228
“What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print.”
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2015
75 cents
Barbara and Kevin Queenin of Westfield and their family members are co-chairing Baystate Noble Hospital’s 51st Anniversary Ball next month.
Queenins help plan 51st Baystate Noble Ball Wings of Freedom Tour at Barnes Airport The Webster family of Westhampton, Daniel, Harmony, Jacque, and Duncan, get ready to take a look in a B-17G at the Wings of Freedom Tour display Sunday at Barnes Airport. The exhibit showcased numerous vintage military planes and some were available for rides. See additional photos Page 8. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
Annual Polish Festival WESTFIELD – It was a Polish time out on Sunday afternoon with the Polish National Catholic Church holding their annual Polish Festival. With many from the community attending, the menu was Polish and American Food, polka dancing and a friendly afternoon get together bringing another annual Dozynki to an end. Clare and Jack Ashe dance to a polka. Steps you never forget. (photo by Don Wielgus)
The Polish Dancers stand for a photo before entertaining the many attendees. (photo by Don Wielgus)
Westfield State Graduate and Continuing Education Division to hold open house WESTFIELD – The Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE) at Westfield State University will host a graduate psychology and applied behavior analysis open house on Wednesday, September 16, at 6 p.m. in the Horace Mann Center. Individuals considering careers such as behavior analysts, clinicians, family and marriage counselors, and guidance or adjustment counselors should consider attending this open house to find out how a graduate degree can help them attain one of these positions. Westfield State University offers a 60-credit graduate program in psychology with specialized tracks in school guidance counseling, school adjustment counseling (non-licensure), or mental health counseling, with an optional concentration in forensic mental health counseling. Westfield State University also offers a 48-credit master of arts in applied behavior analysis program to individuals who work, or aspire to work, in a number of different settings, such as schools, including regular and special education classrooms, business and industry, healthcare, and other community-based settings.
“Many graduate students have familial and career responsibilities that must be prioritized when it comes to furthering their education,” said Jessica Tansey, acting director, Program Development and Outreach, of the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education at Westfield State University. “DGCE at Westfield State is aware of and sensitive to the challenges that often accompany continuing school. To recognize the diverse needs of its students, Westfield State University offers many accommodations, including late afternoon and evening courses and two summer sessions. In addition to learning more about the programs and each concentration, prospective students will have the opportunity to speak with the program coordinator, advisors, and faculty. The DGCE will also speak to attendees about the application process. All individuals who attend this Open House will have the $50 application fee waived. To RSVP for this event, please visit www. GoBackNow.com. For more information about this event or any of our graduate programs, please contact the DGCE at (413) 572-8020 or DGCEadmissions@westfield.ma.edu.
By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD – From kids with sports injuries to middle of the night treks to Baystate Noble Hospital’s Emergency Department over the years, Kevin Queenin knows the importance of having an “extraordinary hospital” close by. “Barbara and I have made our home in Westfield since the early 1970s and in times of emergencies and health issues, we have always had tremendous service from the physicians, nurses and support staff at Baystate Noble Hospital,” he said. Kevin and Barbara Queenin, along with their sons and daughters-in-law, Jay and Janine Queenin and Jon and Lisa Queenin, are paying it forward to the hospital by serving on Baystate Noble Hospital 51st Anniversary Noble Ball Committee. The black-tie (optional) affair, “The Magic of Motown – Dancing in the Street,” is slated Oct. 17 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. A special VIP/ sponsors reception is planned from 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by registration, entertainment, cocktails and a silent auction at 6:30. Dinner will be served at 8 p.m. with three choices: chicken sautéed in a lemon butter sauce with capers, filet mignon drizzled with a burgundy demi-glace, and a vegan/gluten free/dairy free choice of creole tofu stir fry over rice noodles. All meals include salad, roll, seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, coffee and dessert. The evening concludes with a live auction beginning at 9 p.m. followed by dancing until midnight. Motor City Magic and the American All Star Band are the featured entertainers for the evening. “We have a lot of interesting auction items up for bid,” said Queenin. Allison Gearing-Kalill, vice
president of community development at the hospital, expects more than 800 guests to attend the event. “Since the first ball in 1959, the hospital has used this signature event to raise money for operating funds, building improvements, equipment purchases, and more,” said Gearing-Kalill. Proceeds raised from this year’s event will be combined with last year’s funds to enhance the hospital’s entrance and reception area, updating Americans with Disabilities Act access. “Our goal is to make Baystate Noble easily accessible to all,” she said. Queenin, owner of Specialty Bolt & Screw, Inc. in Agawam, along with his sons, Jay and Jon, understands the importance of businesses keeping up with the latest technology to thrive in a competitive market. “Baystate Noble is one of the economic engines in the city,” said Queenin, adding that the hospital has had a “significant impact” for many families over the years across the region. “At the Noble Ball we are celebrating the hospital’s importance in the community,” said Queenin. “In addition to having a great time, we are investing back into Westfield for health care for the next generation.” Queenin noted that all funds raised at the Noble Ball stay in Westfield and are managed by the Baystate Noble Foundation. “Baystate Noble Hospital is strong and viable and the funds raised at the Noble Ball assists in ensuring that the needs of the next generation will be met,” he said. As part of the evening’s festivities, Queenin noted he will address the changing health care landscape, as well as thank the hospital staff for the “exceptional talents” they See Queenins, Page 3
Police get 57 grams of cocaine off the streets By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Westfield police confiscated 57 grams of cocaine found under the hood of a vehicle after a traffic stop over the weekend. At 10:30 p.m. Friday night, police stopped a vehicle near the Evangelical Free Church, located at 568 Southwick Road, for probable cause of drug trafficking. Jacob A. Lisheness, 32, of Southwick, was arested on charges of cocaine trafficking in 36-100 grams and conspiracy to violate drug law with two others, including his girlfriend, Selina M. Hine, 21, of Westfield and the driver of the vehicle, Angelina G. Pagano, 22, of Westfield, according to police logs. Hine and Pagano were also charged with cocaine trafficking in 36-100 grams. Lisheness was released on $2,500 cash and was arraigned in Westfield District Court on Monday. Police, including detectives and officers from a number of communities, had reason to believe the group had gone to Hartford to pick up cocaine, which they intended to distribute in the Westfield/Southwick area, Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe said Monday morning.
The law allows law enforcement officials who have probable cause to stop and search motor vehicles without a search warrant, McCabe said. McCabe explained that probable cause means there are facts and circumstances that would lead a prudent person to believe a crime has been committed, is being committed or will be committed. Upon searching the vehicle, police found a box containing the cocaine, which has a street value of $100 per gram, in the hood compartment of Pagano’s 2008 Volkswagen, according to McCabe. Pagano was charged because “it’s abnormal to drive with people who put things in your hood without your knowledge,” McCabe said. According to Massachusetts General law, drug trafficking of 36 grams or more but less than 100 grams, shall be punishable by a term of imprisonment in the state prison for not less than 5 nor more than 30 years. “No sentence imposed under this clause shall be for less than a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 5 years, and a fine of not less than $5,000 nor more than See Cocaine, Page 3