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MassPIRG trying to move WSU closer to renewable energy
Southwick Fire Department. (WNG File Photo)
Southwick Fire seeks personnel to achieve ALS By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUYHWICK – The Southwick Fire Department is seeking applicants for two full-time positions for firefighter and paramedic. According to Southwick Fire Chief Russ Anderson, one position is for a firefighter and paramedic and the other position is a firefighter and paramedic captain’s position. Filling the vacancies for these roles will help the department’s effort of going towards ALS (Advanced Life Support). During the last fiscal budget process in January 2017, Anderson announced to the Selectboard that adapting ALS would be the majority of the
Police: Man tries to grab officer’s gun during struggle WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Police in Massachusetts have arrested a man they say tried to grab an officer's gun during a struggle. Worcester police say an officer on patrol at about 1:30 a.m. Monday spotted 20 to 30 people involved in a fight in a bar parking lot. Most of the crowd dispersed at the officer's request, but police say 20-year-old Gabriel Padin, of Worcester, continued to try and antagonize members of a rival group. During a struggle, police say the officer felt his duty belt being tugged and saw a hand around is gun's handle. A bystander yelled that Padin was trying to grab the gun. The officer eventually broke Padin's grip. Padin faces arraignment Tuesday on charges including attempt to disarm a police officer. It couldn't be determined if he has a lawyer.
budget. Currently, the fire department uses basic life support, which includes EMT’s (Emergency Medical Technicians) whereas ALS will allow paramedics to respond to a life-threatening situation by providing advanced levels of medical care. For the two positions, qualified candidates must have a Massachusetts Paramedic Certification, a Firefighter I/II certification as well as a minimum of two years of structural firefighting and active 9/11 Paramedic experience. In order to see the full application description, visit the Southwick Fire Department website or their Facebook page.
Suspect in Army Reserve weapons theft reaches plea deal WORCESTER (AP) — A man charged with stealing 16 guns from an Army Reserve facility in Massachusetts, escaping from a Rhode Island prison and trying to rob two banks has reached a plea deal with prosecutors that could put him behind bars for 15 years. James Morales' deal with federal prosecutors, first reported by the Telegram & Gazette (http:// bit.ly/2y3eVmd ), was signed Sept. 15 and filed in court Friday. A change-of-plea hearing is scheduled for Nov. 13. Morales' federal public defender did not immediately respond to a phone call for comment Monday, a holiday. Morales, a former Army reservist from JAMES MORALES Cambridge, Massachusetts, stole six M-4 carbines and 10 M-11 handguns from the Lincoln W. Stoddard U.S. Army Reserve Center in Worcester in November 2015, prosecutors said. Morales was tied to the theft through DNA evidence and an electronic monitoring bracelet he was wearing because he was out on bail on a child rape charge at the time, authorities have said. He was captured in New York days later. He escaped from the privately run Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island, on Dec. 31, stole a car in nearby Attleboro, Massachusetts, and was recaptured five days later after allegedly trying to rob banks in Cambridge and Somerville, See Plea Deal, Page 3
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A student organization has taken its next step in attempting to make Westfield State University a more energy-efficient campus. MassPIRG, a studentled organization that includes a chapter at Westfield State University (WSU), has unveiled a 10-point plan to help get universities like WSU to their goal of 100 percent renewable energy, according to WSU MassPIRG organizer Kane Sheek. Sheek hopes that the unveiling of the 10-point plan will help guide WSU to reaching the 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2050, and help create conversation. “We want this to spark a conversation for what is feasible for what Westfield State can do as a university,” Sheek said. According to Sheek, the goals of MassPIRG on the WSU campus were clear, but criticisms about the campaign were that there was no clearly defined way to get to the goal of 100 percent renewable energy. “So, this is our statement of how we can get there and here is the roadmap,” Sheek said of the 10-point plan. The plan, which is from the Environment America Research and Policy Center website titled “Renewable Energy 101: Ten Tools for Moving Your Campus to 100% Clean Energy,” features some of the following steps to help reach the goal, including on-campus solar and wind energy, solar heating and hot water, renewable energy purchasing, energy efficiency plans and transportation suggestions. According to Sheek, the points are based on plans and concepts implemented at schools and universities throughout the country and can be applicable to WSU. “These are reasonable ways to get to sustainable energy,” Sheek said. Sheek also said that the school has already taken some steps toward increasing renewable energy use, such as putting solar panels on two buildings on campus, but MassPIRG’s goal is still about spreading the information. Sheek said he hopes to get an energy sustainability report from the school’s administration next.
School reviewing rules after student’s poem draws criticism HOLYOKE, Mass. (AP) — A Massachusetts school says it's reviewing its policies after a student's poetry reading blaming whites for oppression drew criticism online. The Republican reports Holyoke High School sent a letter to families Monday saying some were offended by the Friday performance at an event for Latino Heritage Month. A student performing at the assembly read a poem that celebrated her Hispanic heritage but also said whites have oppressed minority groups in America. Video of the performance was posted online and drew a wave of criticism on social media. The school's letter says all students have a right to feel welcome and that some of the event's performances "were not subjected to sufficient review." It says school officials will revise procedures "for the review and approval of proposed student presentations."
Westfield State University to recognize distinguished grads WESTFIELD – Westfield State University will honor a pair of graduates with Alumni Association Awards at a reception on Saturday, October 14, at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Horace Mann Center. Christopher Scanlon ’72 has been chosen as the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient while Col. Robert Picknally ’56, M’60 will receive the Alumnus of the Year Award. A Winchester resident, Scanlon has been recognized as one of the top five high school girls’ soccer coaches in the United States. He has a career coaching record of 613-75-79 as his
teams have qualified for post-season play each year. His Winchester High girls’ teams have won four Division I state championships and five Eastern Massachusetts titles. His teams have been ranked in the top 20 nationally for the past many years, including the 1990 squad, which peaked with a No. 1 ranking in the country by USA Today. In addition, his 1995 state championship team was ranked third nationally by USA Today. A 1989 inductee to the state soccer coaches’ Hall of Fame, Scanlon was honored by the National Soccer Coaches of America
Association as the 1986 National Coach of the Year and the 1994 New England Coach of the Year. He also earned Coach of the Year accolades from The Boston Globe on four occasions. The Distinguished Alumnus/a Award is conferred upon Westfield State alumni who have distinguished themselves in professional and/or community service since graduation. Col. Picknally has generously donated his entire personal presidential library to Westfield State and the Ely Library. He served for 37 years in the Army and Air Force. A past presi-
dent of the alumni association in one of its early forms, Col. Picknally attends many university programs/events and remains highly connected to the campus and his class. His memories as a member of the “old school” group have enlivened many conversations. He is a resident of East Longmeadow. The Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to an alumnus/a who has made a significant contribution toward personal, professional, community or philanthropic achievements over the course of a year to two-year period. – Courtesy of Westfield State University