Author: Molly Line

We have all seen it…
Distracted drivers swerving, veering over the yellow line with a cell phone held to the ear or fingers tapping out a text message.

It’s something we may see even more of this Memorial Day weekend as 32 million drivers take to America’s roads.

While many drivers will admit they’ve done it themselves, the consequences of driving while distracted can be deadly. Thousands of people are killed each year due to multitasking behind the wheel.

Now a new, high-tech driving simulator is proving just how dangerous it is to drive when your focus is elsewhere.

Created for the Arbella Insurance Group by engineers at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst under the direction of Dr. Donald Fisher the program, dubbed Distractology 101, is on a public tour aiming to teach young drivers the risks of driving while distracted.

“We started to notice a very alarming trend coming out of our claims data. We’re one of the larger automobile insurance companies in America so we have a lot of claims,” said John Donohue, the Arbella Insurance Group’s CEO and chairman.
“We started seeing accidents where bad weather wasn’t involved, alcohol wasn’t involved, but young people were getting into very serious accidents. As we looked into it we realized it was coming from what we called distracted driving.”

The simulator travels in a massive, neon-yellow trailer and works like a giant video game, putting participants behind the wheel and running them through a variety of possible real-life scenarios.

It shows what can happen if you come around a blind curve with your attention momentarily diverted- CRASH! A simulated fender-bender is the result.

“It does kinda make you think about stuff that you wouldn’t normally think about like seeing around corners and stuff,” said Billy Richman of Taunton, Massachusetts, one of the first of thousands of teenagers the Arbella Insurance Group hopes to put through Distractology 101.

The course even has it’s own lingo with buzzwords like-
Textident: An accident while texting
Smerging: Swerving while merging
Sender Bender: A collision caused by a text message being sent before impact

“What we really try to get across is the consequences. Maybe you’re right nine times out of ten, but that tenth time you’re not, you’re not only going to hurt yourself- you might hurt a lot of other people,” said Donohue.

According to the National Highway Safety Administration 6,000 people died and a half million were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver in 2008.

For more information or to see where the simulator is heading next go to:
www.DistractU.com/Students/Tour.

Final federal approval was granted today by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to
Cape Wind, the company that has fought a nine year long battle to construct America’s first offshore wind farm in the waters off Cape Cod.

“I am approving the Cape Wind project with modifications to the proposed project that will help protect the historic cultural and environmental resources of Nantucket Sound,” said Salazar. Among the additional requirements, developers must reduce the scale of the project to minimize the visual impact by reducing the numbers of turbines proposed from 170 to 130. Additional marine ecological surveys will be required to limit the affect of submerged archeological resources.

This is a landmark decision marking the end of a nearly decade long process involving a multitude of regulatory and political hurdles.

“This will be the first of many projects up and down the Atlantic coast which I expect will come on-line in the years ahead as we build a new energy future for our country.” said Salazar.

Massachusetts late Senator Ted Kennedy fought hard before his death last summer to stop the project which is slated to be built in the waters he sailed with his famous brothers. Once erected, the turbines will be visible from the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis Port.

Massachusetts newly elected Republican Senator Scott Brown released a statement shortly after Salazar’s announcement saying: “I am strongly opposed to the administrations misguided decision to move forward with Cape Wind. While I support the concept of wind power as an alternative source of energy, Nantucket Sound is a national treasure that should be protected from industrialization.”

Not all high profile Massachusetts politicians share Kennedy’s and Brown’s opposition to Cape Wind. Governor Deval Patrick stood at Salazar’s side today hailing the project as a major breakthrough that will provide clean energy to much of the Cape and Islands.

“Today’s decision affirms that, on balance, Cape Wind is good for our environment and good for our energy needs,” said Patrick. “The United States is twenty years behind Europe on offshore wind and China is pulling ahead as fast as it can. America now has a chance to turn that around.”

With approval in hand, Cape Wind hopes to begin construction on the billion dollar project by year’s end and complete building by 2012, creating jobs and ultimately providing enough energy to power 75% of the homes on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

“Secretary Salazar’s decision today to approve Cape Wind has launched the American offshore wind industry. It allows our nation to harness an abundant and inexhaustible clean energy source for greater energy independence, a healthier environment and green jobs,” said Cape Wind President Jim Gordon.

Opponents of Cape Wind have argued the project is too expensive. They say the turbines and construction will negatively impact the fragile marine environment in Nantucket Sound. Some have argued air and sea navigation would be affected. Others say the Cape’s thriving tourism industry would be stunted and that long-treasured ocean views would be destroyed.

While supporters of Cape Wind often dismiss opponents concerns as NIMBY (not in my backyard) complaints, several Native American tribes have argued the turbines will disturb spiritual sun rituals.

The concerns have been addressed by scientific and government studies. A multitude of agencies have weighed in from the Coast Guard to the US Energy Department.
The greenlight from the Obama Administration should move the project forward but lawsuits could further slow progress.

A landmark decision on the fate of America’s first offshore wind farm will be announced today. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has scheduled a press conference for noon in Boston from Beacon Hill.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is an adamant supporter of the Cape Wind project and the announcement will be made from the Governor’s press office.

Salazar will announce whether or not final federal approval will be granted to Cape Wind. The battle over the company’s proposal to construct 130 turbines in the waters off Cape Cod has been nine years long. Dozens of public hearings, protests for and against, political wrangling and environmental concerns have combined to make the regulatory process slow and arduous.

“I think the decision is going to be very high stakes and significant either way,” said Mark Rodgers, spokesperson for Cape Wind. “If it’s favorable, it will be huge for Cape Wind. We’ll be the first off-shore wind project in country to get this federal permit.”

Rodgers believes a thumbs-down decision would lead to serious repercussions throughout America’s fledgling off-shore wind industry, scaring away investors and discouraging projects.

“A negative decision would have a really chilling effect,” said Rodgers. “It would make everybody think twice about whether they want to make significant investments in time and money.”

Proponents of Cape Wind say the project will create jobs and provide clean energy.

Opponents of Cape Wind have argued the environmental impact to Nantucket Sound would be too great, that migrating birds or the fragile marine eco-system could be harmed. Some have argued air and sea navigation would be affected. Others say the Cape’s thriving tourism industry would be stunted and that long-treasured ocean views would be destroyed.

Sailors, scientists, and nearby home owners have had their say. Local, state and federal authorities have weighed in. From the Coast Guard to the U.S. Energy Department to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Minerals Management Service, agencies focused on both land and sea, have filed hundreds of documents, reviewed thousands of pages and slowly moved the project forward.

Politically, Cape Wind has not been a project that divides along party lines.

The late Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, who’s Hyannis Port home overlooked Nantucket Sound, argued voraciously against the project prior to his death. Fellow Democrat, Senator John Kerry said he will support the project if it is approved by Salazar. Recently elected Republican Senator Scott Brown is opposed.

Even the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation weighed in on the hotly contested energy project earlier this month, arguing against Cape Wind, citing the Kennedy Compound as one of many historical properties that would be affected. In total, the ACHP claims 34 historic sites on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island will be adversely impacted.

Six Governors from nearby states fired back at the ACHP’s attempt to influence Salazar’s decision writing in a letter “we are troubled by the implications for all offshore wind” if council’s approach is adopted.

Signed by Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, Governor Jack Markell of Delaware, Governor David Paterson of New York, Governor Don Carcieri of Rhode Island, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey and Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland the letter to Secretary Salazar reads in part:

“Processes and standards must be transparent, predictable and applied fairly. Adopting the ACHP’s recommendation sets a much more strict standard for offshore wind project compared to other types of development, thwarting the compelling national priorities President Obama has set and you have embraced- lowing our greenhouse gas emissions and regaining economic leadership through the development of clean, renewable energy.”

Salazar’s decision is one being watched closely far beyond the borders of Massachusetts.

At the end of last month, Cape Wind announced the company had agreed to buy the 130 wind turbines needed for their project from Siemens. The global company installed the world’s first offshore wind farm in Denmark in 1991.

The ground work is underway and with approval Cape Wind hopes to be making energy by 2012.

“Our goal would be to begin construction by the end of this year,” said Rodgers.

European countries operate over a dozen offshore wind farms and China’s first goes online within weeks.

More than 3,100 people lost their jobs due to the historic flooding that ravaged Rhode Island last month. State officials say more than 120 businesses closed down, further burdening a state that is already in a deep recession with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country at 12.6%.

“It really couldn’t have come at a worse time,” said Sandra Powell, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. “We were really just starting to see some changes in our economy that made us very hopeful and I think while this month’s unemployment numbers don’t really demonstrate the impact of the flooding, over the next several months we’re going to see what that impact is on Rhode Island’s economy.”

The state labor agency has been struggling to keep up with the increased need for unemployment benefits. Three factors have created a “perfect storm” to further challenge their efforts. Between those effected by the depressed job market, the flooding and Congress’ recent extension of unemployment benefits, the agency is overwhelmed. They are working to bring 25 new workers up to speed to help with the backlog but, in the meantime, people trying to file claims can wait nearly an hour on the phones.

The agency hopes that many of the job losses associated with the flooding will be temporary.

“We’re starting to see some businesses slowly begin to reopen again,” said Powell. “But time will tell whether or not they’re all able to reopen based on the impact of the flooding in their own individual businesses.”

The Cranston Casting Company, which specializes in work with precious metals, was among the more than 100 businesses left devastated by floodwaters.

“We’ve been in this building since 1960 and we never had a puddle in our parking lot,” said owner Al Schoeninger. Before the flood, the company supplied roughly 600 jewelry designers and companies across the country.

Schoeninger’s grandfather started the company in 1948. Now, generations later, they are struggling to rebuild all that was lost.

“My employees helped us clean up. Friends. People that were out of work, skilled laborers, they came in and they’re donating their labor,” said Schoeninger.

“Through some hard, hard work with everybody- we saved some big units and right now we’re probably looking at about 50,000 to 75,000 dollars that I’m going to have to come up with to get this place open again,” said Schoeninger who is frustrated and angry with the elusive hunt for funding. “I can’t do a loan. I can’t put up my house. I just lost my business. I’m looking for grant money. I’m looking for free money.”

Schoeninger said he hopes to get back to work soon, offering limited service to some clients.

“Before the flood we had 12 employees. We hope to reopen up again in a week or two with probably six,” said Schoeninger, who says they won’t be able to offer all the services they have in the past. He’s hopeful loyal clients will return and help get them back on their feet.

The original Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a protest about taxation without representation. It helped spark the American Revolution.

Today’s Tea Party activists aimed to harness some of that revolutionary spirit on the Boston Common, calling for limited government and lower taxes.

Sarah Palin was the highlight of the rally, which drew thousands of people carrying signs and waving flags.

“Boston, if anybody knows how to throw a tea party, it’s you,” said Palin who was greeted with loud cheers through much of her speech as she slammed the Obama administration, Democrats and incumbents.

“Americans now spend 100 days out of the year working for government before we even start earning money for ourselves, for our families,” lamented Palin, who’s anti-tax sentiment resonated with the crowd on the day before Tax Day.

The Greater Boston Tea Party boasts 1,800 people and leader Christen Varley says they are growing everyday.

“This is about reaching as many people as possible,” Varley said. She says the movement is a battle against big government and too many taxes. In the midst of a struggling economy she’s critical of elected officials she believes are not doing enough. “We elected these guys and gals and they’re not doing what we elected them to do.”

The crowd numbered several thousand, a welcome surprise to some protesters in a state dominated by Democrats.

“It was very important I think because it shows that there is a market here in Massachusetts, a deep blue state, for people who care about the same things as some of the redder states in the country,” said Stephen Moynahan of Marlborough, Massachusetts. “And I’m really encouraged to see everybody coming out here.”

There was one notable absence.

While Tea Party support and advertising is credited with helping Scott Brown secure the U.S. Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy, the newly minted senator did not attend today’s raucous event.

Instead, Senator Brown was busy with his new job on Capitol Hill, attending the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. Some political strategists say he must be wary of appearing too closely affiliated with groups that could damage his 2012 re-election bid.

Many of those attending today’s rally are not miffed by his absence. They say he still has a lot to prove to Massachusetts’ voters and understand if he doesn’t want to rock the boat.

“Seeing as he’s the first Republican in decades I see how he would not want to tip his hat to a polarizing figure,” said Will Grapentine of Bristol, Rhode Island. “I came because until recently with Scott Brown’s election New England has not been ready for a sea-change and to have a big figure like Sarah Palin here, that gives it legitimacy. It gives credence to how New England is ready for a new ways of thinking in government.”

The nationwide Tea Party Express tour wraps up tomorrow in Washington, D.C. with a Tax Day Tea Party rally from 7p.m. to 9:30p.m. at the Washington monument.

The original Boston Tea Party in 1773 was a protest about taxation without representation.
Today’s rally on the Boston Common, says Christen Varley, President of the Greater Boston Tea Party, is about “Taxation with bad representation.”

The Holliston, Massachusetts mother says the Greater Boston group boasts five chapters with 1,800 local members and more are joining everyday. Varley says today’s event on the city’s historic common, once used as a camp by British troops, could draw up to 10,000 people.

“It’s almost like a vaudeville type show,” said Varley.

There will be patriotic music, food and speakers. Sarah Palin, the former Alaska Governor and Fox News contributor, is headlining the event and is slated to speak at 10:40am.

“This is about reaching as many people as possible,” Varley said. She says the movement is a battle against big government and too many taxes. In the midst of a struggling economy she’s critical of elected officials she believes are not doing enough. “We elected these guys and gals and they’re not doing what we elected them to do.”

While Tea Party support and advertising is credited with helping Scott Brown secure the U.S. Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy, the newly minted senator will not be attending.

Senator Brown officially claims to be busy with his new job on Capitol Hill but political strategists say he must be wary of appearing too closely affiliated with groups that could damage his 2012 re-election bid.

Many of those attending today’s rally are not miffed by his absence. They say he still has a lot to prove to Massachusetts’ voters and understand if he doesn’t want to rock the boat.

“Seeing as he’s the first Republican in decades I see how he would not want to tip his hat to a polarizing figure,” said Will Grapentine of Bristol, Rhode Island. “I came because until recently with Scott Brown’s election New England has not been ready for a sea-change and to have a big figure like Sarah Palin here, that gives it legitimacy. It gives credence to how New England is ready for a new ways of thinking in government.”

The nationwide Tea Party Express tour wraps up tomorrow in Washington, D.C. with a Tax Day Tea Party rally from 7p.m. to 9:30p.m. at the Washington monument.

Mark Kerrigan, the brother of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, pleaded not guilty today to manslaughter charges in the death of his elderly father.

Kerrigan, 45, stands accused of fighting with his dad in what prosecutors called a “drunken rage” that was so brutal the 70-year-old’s larynx was fractured. The Chief Medical Examiner ultimately determined that Daniel Kerrigan died on January 24th from cardiac dysrhythmia, a condition allegedly brought on by the intense physical struggle.

“We allege that the defendant’s violent reckless actions and complete disregard for his father’s safety and well-being endangered Daniel Kerrigan’s life and resulted in the substantial harm that led to his untimely death,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement released by his office yesterday. “This defendant should have known that the cruel acts that he committed against his elderly father, including grabbing him by the neck with enough force to cause a fracture, were highly likely to result in substantial harm and endanger his father’s life. Compounding these tragic circumstances is the fact that we allege the altercation by the defendant began because he wasn’t allowed to use the family telephone late that night, a seemingly trivial issue that we allege triggered the defendant’s drunken rage and led to his committing the malicious acts that led to the death of his elderly father.”

According to prosecutors, the events leading up to the elder Kerrigan’s death started early in the evening when Mark Kerrigan argued with an unnamed female at the family home.

Stoneham police responded to a 911 call after she called for help because Mark Kerrigan allegedly would not allow her to leave. Daniel Kerrigan returned home to help calm the situation and Stoneham police left after speaking with all the parties.

Over the next six hours, said prosecutors, the defendant started to drink liquor and argue with his parents over the use of the phone. Mark Kerrigan had been calling the unnamed woman, leaving over a dozen messages on her cell phone.

Prosecutors say Daniel Kerrigan refused further access to the phone causing his son to became angry and aggressive.

According to the statement released by the District Attorney’s office:

“Sometime after midnight, the defendant came into his parent’s bedroom screaming obscenities and yelling about the telephone not working. The victim and his wife went downstairs to the kitchen in an attempt to talk to their son. The defendant then allegedly engaged in a heated argument with the victim, which escalated to a violent physical altercation where the defendant allegedly pushed, grabbed and shoved the victim, resulting in several pictures falling off the wall. The defendant then allegedly forcibly grabbed the victim around the neck, causing a compression fracture to the left thyroid cartilage of his larynx, and the victim fell to the kitchen floor onto his back, unconscious.
The defendant’s mother then called 911 and during her recorded call for help, the defendant is heard screaming obscenities at his father and yelling at him.”

When first responders got to the scene the elder Kerrigan was unconscious.

According to prosecutors, Mark Kerrigan tried to hide a bottle of scotch and refused to obey police orders. Obviously intoxicated, say authorities, Kerrigan fought and swore at the officers telling police that his father was “faking it.”

Daniel Kerrigan was rushed to Winchester Hospital and pronounced dead an hour later.

The Kerrigan family has been standing by Mark Kerrigan and released the following statement through their attorney yesterday:

“We are deeply disappointed at the continued prosecution of Mark Kerrigan. We disagree with the decision to indict and look forward to the facts being considered by an impartial jury. The Kerrigan family continues to believe that he is not responsible for the death of their beloved Daniel Kerrigan. Mark Kerrigan has been living at home supporting and caring for his mother and is in complete compliance with all conditions of his pre-trial release and we see no reason that the situation should change.”

The judge raised Mark Kerrigan’s bail to $25,000 and the Kerrigan family released the following statement today:

“The Kerrigans are extremely pleased to have Mark back at home where he belongs”.

Phoebe Prince had no safe place to go at South Hadley High School.

Court paperwork reveals that the 15-year-old freshman suffered harassment in the hallways, the library, the classrooms, the lunchroom and even the bathroom.

According to witnesses, the bullies hissed curse words, yelled obscenities and threatened to beat her up, sometimes within earshot of school faculty.

The taunting stemmed from teenage jealousy. According to the documents, Phoebe briefly dated a popular older football player at the school, Sean Mulveyhill, who is now facing charges in the case, including statutory rape.

Mulveyhill, 17, ended the relationship with Phoebe in November and resumed dating his girlfriend, Kayla Narey, a junior at South Hadley High. Narey, 17, is charged in the case with criminal harassment and violation of civil rights.

16-year-old Ashley Longe, a close platonic friend of Mulveyhill, stands accused of harassment and stalking.

On the day Phoebe died, the couple, along with Longe, had scrawled derogatory comments on the school’s library sign in sheet, disparaging Phoebe’s Irish heritage and reputation.

In the auditorium, they stood in a group, the paperwork reveals. Witnesses say Mulveyhill was overheard calling Phoebe a “whore.” Longe said it to her face. Narey laughed.

As Phoebe walked home from school on this final day of her life, the paperwork says a witness saw Longe, passing by in a vehicle, throw an empty energy drink can in Phoebe’s direction and yell something degrading.

Phoebe was crying as she continued her walk. When she arrived home, she hanged herself in a stairwell, wearing the same clothing she had on at school that day.

Three other teens are also charged. Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16, and Flannery Mullins, 16, both of South Hadley face charges of stalking and violation of civil rights as a youthful offender. Austin Renaud, 18, is charged with statutory rape.

In December, prosecutors say Phoebe had a brief relationship with Renaud that drew hostility from Mullins, who was his on and off again girlfriend.

Mullins had told other students that she was going to “beat Phoebe up” and that she “needed to watch out at break after second block.”

Velazquez, a friend of Mullins, was witnessed by a teacher harassing Phoebe in a classroom leading to a one day suspension.

Prosecutors say Phoebe suffered the torment and name-calling for months.

Witnesses stated that Phoebe’s reaction to the constant harassment varied from fear and apprehension to crying. She asked her friends to stay close to her in the hallways. One witness reported that Phoebe went to school administrators because she “was scared and wanted to go home.” The same witness said Phoebe returned to class and told her that no action was going to be taken and that “she was still going to get beat up.”

One witness told investigators, in a written statement, that Phoebe was not an aggressive person, and stated:

“She definitely didn’t want to fight with the girls in the school. She just wanted to keep to herself and keep things the way they were. She wanted people to stop picking on her, to stop being bullied. She wanted people to leave her alone. She wanted people to stop spreading rumors and stop the girls from talking about her.”

Phoebe committed suicide on January 14th. Her little sister discovered the body.

The brother of Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan is now facing manslaughter charges in the death of their father.

Mark Kerrigan, 45, stands accused of fighting with his elderly dad in a violent altercation that prosecutors say ultimately caused Daniel Kerrigan’s death on January 24th.

“We allege that the defendant’s violent reckless actions and complete disregard for his father’s safety and well-being endangered Daniel Kerrigan’s life and resulted in the substantial harm that led to his untimely death,” Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said in a statement released by his office. “This defendant should have known that the cruel acts that he committed against his elderly father, including grabbing him by the neck with enough force to cause a fracture, were highly likely to result in substantial harm and endanger his father’s life. Compounding these tragic circumstances is the fact that we allege the altercation by the defendant began because he wasn’t allowed to use the family telephone late that night, a seemingly trivial issue that we allege triggered the defendant’s drunken rage and led to his committing the malicious acts that led to the death of his elderly father.”

According to prosecutors, the events leading up to the elder Kerrigan’s death started early in the evening when Mark Kerrigan argued with an unnamed female at the family home.

Stoneham police responded to a 911 call after she called for help because Mark Kerrigan allegedly would not allow her to leave.

Daniel Kerrigan, 70, returned home to help calm the situation and Stoneham police left after speaking with all the parties.

Over the next six hours, allege prosecutors, the defendant started to drink liquor and argue with his parents over the use of the phone. Mark Kerrigan had been calling the unnamed woman, leaving over a dozen messages on her cell phone.

Prosecutors say Daniel Kerrigan refused to allow further access to the phone causing his son to became angry and aggressive.

According to a statement released by the District Attorney’s office:

“Sometime after midnight, the defendant came into his parent’s bedroom screaming obscenities and yelling about the telephone not working. The victim and his wife went downstairs to the kitchen in an attempt to talk to their son. The defendant then allegedly engaged in a heated argument with the victim, which escalated to a violent physical altercation where the defendant allegedly pushed, grabbed and shoved the victim, resulting in several pictures falling off the wall. The defendant then allegedly forcibly grabbed the victim around the neck, causing a compression fracture to the left thyroid cartilage of his larynx, and the victim fell to the kitchen floor onto his back, unconscious.

The defendant’s mother then called 911 and during her recorded call for help, the defendant is heard screaming obscenities at his father and yelling at him.”

When first responders got to the scene the elder Kerrigan was unconscious.

According to prosecutors, Mark Kerrigan tried to hide a bottle of scotch and refused to obey police orders. Obviously intoxicated, say authorities, Kerrigan fought and swore at the officers telling police that his father was “faking it.”

Daniel Kerrigan was rushed to Winchester Hospital and pronounced dead an hour later. The Chief Medical Examiner determined that Kerrigan died from cardiac dysrhythmia, a condition brought on by a violent physical altercation that resulted in a fracture to his larynx.

The Kerrigan family has been standing by Mark Kerrigan and released the following statement through their attorney today:

“We are deeply disappointed at the continued prosecution of Mark Kerrigan. We disagree with the decision to indict and look forward to the facts being considered by an impartial jury. The Kerrigan family continues to believe that he is not responsible for the death of their beloved Daniel Kerrigan. Mark Kerrigan has been living at home supporting and caring for his mother and is in complete compliance with all conditions of his pre-trial release and we see no reason that the situation should change.”

Mark Kerrigan is scheduled to be arraigned on the new manslaughter charge tomorrow morning.

Three more teenagers have been arraigned in connection with the death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince. None of the teens appeared in court today. They were represented by council who entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.

As a condition of release they must stay away from the Prince family.

Ashley Longe, 16, of South Hadley is charged with violation of civil rights as a youthful offender.

Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16, and Flannery Mullins, 16, both of South Hadley face charges of stalking and violation of civil rights as a youthful offender.

Three other teens were arraigned on Tuesday.

Sean Mulveyhill, 17, of South Hadley is charged with statutory rape, violation of civil rights, criminal harassment and disturbing a school assembly.

Kayla Narey, 17, of South Hadley is charged with violation of civil rights, criminal harassment and disturbing a school assembly.

Austin Renaud, 18, of Springfield is charged with statutory rape.

No school officials are facing criminal charges though District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel has referred to the actions, or lack of actions, on the part of staff and administrators as troubling.

In total, six teens are facing charges related to what Scheibel described as the relentless torment of Prince over several months. Prince committed suicide in January.

The District Attorney’s office initially announced further charges “in addition” to those pressed against the six named teenagers. Scheibel announced numerous delinquency complaints against “three juveniles, all females, from South Hadley” but offered no further explanation, constrained by legal and ethical confidentiality rules protecting juveniles. It has since become clear that the “three juveniles, all females” referred to by Scheibel are the same teenagers facing public charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Three of the nine teenagers accused of relentlessly bullying 15-year-old Phoebe Prince for months prior to her death in January are slated for arraignment today but not one of them will set foot in the Massachusetts courthouse.

Their lawyers filed paperwork waiving the teens’ right to appear at the Hampshire Superior Court proceeding.

Sean Mulveyhill, 17, of South Hadley is charged with statutory rape, violation of civil rights, criminal harassment and disturbing a school assembly.

Kayla Narey, 17, of South Hadley is charged with violation of civil rights, criminal harassment and disturbing a school assembly.

Austin Renaud, 17, of Springfield is charged with statutory rape.

On Thursday, three more accused teens face arraignment in juvenile court.

Ashley Longe, 16, of South Hadley is charged with violation of civil rights as a youthful offender.

Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16, and Flannery Mullins, 16, both of South Hadley face charges of stalking and violation of civil rights as a youthful offender.

Three younger girls also face delinquency charges.

Phoebe Prince committed suicide after months of torment according to District Attorney Elizabeth Sehiebel. Her death and the subsequent charges leveled against 9 teenagers have caused a deep rift in the small town where some parents have called for school administrators to step aside.

“This has been extremely hard for us, extremely hard. Through lack of quick and decisive leadership, people have become polarized,” said parent Luke Gelinas.

Gelinas has two kids in the school system and would like to see Superintendent Gus Sayer and South Hadley High School Principal Dan Smith step-down.

“These teachers need leadership. This town needs leadership. These kids need leadership and that’s where this system has failed- in leadership,” said Gelinas. “We have the death of a child here. All we want is the truth and we want our schools back.”

As the community takes steps toward healing, Schiebel is seeking justice. When the district attorney announced the charges against the nine teenagers last week she acknowledged the patience and cooperation of Phoebe Prince’s family.

“The Prince family has asked that the public refrain from vigilantism in favor of allowing the judicial system an opportunity to provide a measure of justice for Phoebe,” said Scheibel. “Now is not the time for retribution or reprisal with an aim toward targeting those named in these indictments. Rather, this should be a time of reflection and thought about the role each of us can play in recognizing and teaching civility and respect for one another.”

In flood-ravaged Rhode Island, Interstate 95 reopened this afternoon as the Pawtuxet River waters receded. State authorities believe the open highway should help reduce the gridlock gripping the region.

The sun is finally shining but the view greeting worker and residents is one of damaged streets, homes and businesses. The losses will be great in a state that is already suffering in the midst of recession.

Angelo Padula owns an auto-repair and salvage business that was caught in the flood zone. He expects the damage total to be high.

“Over a million dollars,” said Padula. “I don’t know how we’re going to recoup it.”

Padula also sits on the West Warwick town council and says his business is not the only one that will need help.

“We need relief money, not loans. These businesses have been struggling for years with the economy being the way it is and this just capped it right off,” he said. “We’re hoping for some kind of relief.”

And while Padula feels horrible for all the business owners affected, his heart goes out to the homeowners who’ve lost everything.

“We have elderly people on the street in there- late 80’s, 90’s. They have nowhere to go. It’s just a tragedy. I could never imagine that it would ever be like this.”

Wendy Laurence has been unable to reach her home off River Street in West Warwick but expects the damage on her flooded first floor will be bad. Her new living room set, her parent’s dining room table and a washer and dryer are just a few items she knows will be ruined.

“I can’t even really process it. I don’t have any emotion because I can’t think about it too far ahead. I think it’s going to be really hard when we can get in to get a few things,” Laurence said.

The birthday gifts for her 4-year-old son are also inside. Laurence says the celebration she wanted to have will have to wait.

“One day at a time. Be thankful I got my kids out and they’re okay and just take it as it comes.”

Tomorrow US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will travel to Rhode Island to assess the damage. FEMA will act as the primary agency distributing aid to stricken businesses and residents.

As the waters recede across the Northeast communities are beginning to take stock of the damage left by flooding of historic proportions.

In Rhode Island, where the Pawtuxet River rose to record levels, 11 feet over flood stage, some homes and businesses are still underwater and could remain water logged for days.

I-95 is still closed but Governor Don Carcieri says the National Guard is working feverishly to get the major interstate back open by afternoon. He’s hoping it will offer relief to drivers trapped in grid lock.

The economic repercussions will be immense for the state, which already has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, lingering consistently near 12 percent.

President Obama approved a federal declaration of disaster and FEMA will act as the primary agency distributing aid to cover the cost of recovery for businesses and individuals.

Flooded sewage and electrical facilities must be repaired and state authorities continue to urge residents to flush toilets only when absolutely necessary and try to keep electricity use to a minimum.

In the wake of the storm, both federal and state authorities are offering water weary residents a last minute tax break- The Internal Revenue Service and the Rhode Island Division of Taxation extended the deadline for income tax returns, giving residents until May 11th to file.

The rain may have stopped but the waters are still rising in Rhode Island.

Interstate 95 has been shut-down for the length of several exits because water from the Pawtuxet River has washed over the major roadway. It may stay closed for days and a multitude of smaller roads are flooded as well, forcing police to create a maze of detours.

Many schools are closed for the day and Governor Don Carcieri has closed state government offices. He’s urging people to stay home if possible fearing gridlock.

“It’s been a nightmare for everybody,” said Steve Kass, Communications Coordinator for the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. He says the Pawtuxet is causing the majority of the problems. “It’s creating traffic havoc because so many roads are underwater.”

Rivers are expected to crest later today and into tomorrow as authorities warn residents to be wary. There is more water over the banks than anyone in the area has see in 100 years.

Thousands of people are without power as electric workers struggle to cut lines and prevent danger to residents. At least one substation is underwater and state officials are urging residents to conserve electricity if possible, hoping to prevent further challenges to an overtaxed system.

Several sewage facilities are flooded, contaminants flowing into the floodwater.

“No matter where you go, it’s either water or power or some issue,” said Kass.

Update:
Rhode Island has called in the National Guard to help with the worst flooding the state has seen in a century.

300 soldiers will be filling sand bags and working to help authorities manage flooding that has swamped neighborhoods. The swift waters are threatening bridges and dams across the state.

“This is an extraordinary time that we’re facing,” said Gov. Don Carcieri. He urged residents to take the rising waters seriously and evacuate if authorities believe it’s necessary.

“The flooding impact, as bad as it is right now, is going to get worse,” warned Carcieri who called on residents to get home early and expect further road closings.

The rain is expected to lighten up periodically throughout the evening hours but several addition inches are still expected to fall.

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Relentless rain continues to pound the Northeast. Communities from New Jersey to Maine are getting hit hard with another round of flooding as the second major storm in March dumps water on the region.

In Rhode Island the Pawtuxet River is over it’s banks, flooding homes and cars left in low lying areas.

The Lumpkin family has lived on East Ave. in Warwick, Rhode Island for nearly 20 years.

“I’ve never seen it this bad,” said Diana Lumpkin, who watched a sand box float across her flooded back yard. Sand bags are piled high around their cellar door to little avail. The river is flooding inside.

Emergency Management officials say major flooding is affecting Cranston, Providence, Warwick and surrounding towns. They’re warning residents that water levels could reach historic highs and flooding will be seen in areas that have never flooded before.

The Blackstone River is 9 feet over flood stage, estimated to be at 18 feet, and the Pawtuxet River could hit 21 feet by Thursday.

“We have no idea with that kind of water where it’s going to go,” said Steve Kass, Communications Coordinator for the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.

Five to seven inches of rain is predicted across eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. In some spots eight inches is possible.

In Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency. The Massachusetts National Guard has mobilized to fill sand bags and aid residents.

Homeowners are weary. Many residents are pumping out basements yet again, rushing to move furniture and belongings to higher ground.

When Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel announced the criminal charges against 9 teenagers related to the death of 15-year-old Phoebe Prince she also revealed the extent of knowledge that school personnel had regarding the harassment the freshman suffered during school hours.

Scheibel said that most of the South Hadley High School student body knew about the bullying and that Phoebe’s mother spoke with at least two school staff members about the harassment. “Some bystanders, including at least four students and two faculty members intervened while the harassment was occurring or reported it to administrators,” Scheibel said.

“A lack of understanding of harassment associated with teen dating relationships seems to have been prevalent at South Hadley High School,” said Scheibel. “That, in turn, brought about an inconsistent interpretation and enforcement of the school’s code of conduct when incidents were observed and reported.”

Scheibel said that her office considered whether or not the actions- or lack thereof- by South Hadley staff and administrators amounted to criminal behavior.

“In our opinion, it did not,” said Scheibel. “Nevertheless, the actions or inactions, of some adults at the school are troublesome. This case underscores the need for consistent implementation of disciplinary policies in area schools regarding bullying. In addition, training of faculty, staff and administrators relating to aggressional behavior in teen dating relationships is vital. So too, curriculums should be integrated to include programs aimed at building student’s skills, particularly as bystanders, to address the issues associated with bullying.”

Both points may be addressed by new legislation Massachusetts lawmakers are working on. Measures to address bullying have passed both the House and Senate but must go to committee where a final draft will be reconciled before the measure goes to Governor Deval Patrick for signing.

The nine students and the charges they are facing are as follows:
Sean Mulveyhill, 17, of South Hadley, charged with statutory rape, violation of civil rights, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly.
Austin Renaud, 18, of Springfield, charged with statutory rape.
Kayla Narey, 17, of South Hadley, charged with violation of civil rights, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly.
Ashley Longe, 16, of South Hadley, charged with violation of civil rights, as a youthful offender.
Flannery Mullins, 16, of South Hadley, charged with violation of civil rights as a youthful offender, stalking as a youthful offender.
Sharon Chanon Velazquez, 16, of South Hadley, charged with violation of civil rights as a youthful offender, stalking as a youthful offender.
In addition, three juveniles, all females from South Hadley are also facing delinquency complaints. One of the delinquency complaints includes assault with a dangerous weapon, namely a beverage container that was hurled at the victim.
The defendants will be summoned to court for arraignment at a later date.

While nearly every industry across the country has taken a hit during this recession, manufacturing and construction workers have experienced devastating job losses.

Blue collar workers are feeling the brunt of the recession, according to a study conducted by Northeastern University in Boston.

“They have absorbed almost 7 out of every 10 job losses in the country through the end of last year,” said Professor Andrew Sum, Director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern. “The magnitude of those declines are really unprecedented.”

The study reveals production workers, construction workers, truck drivers and warehouse workers have absorbed extraordinarily high job losses.

“We estimate that, since the recession began, that one out of every six blue collar workers lost their job,” said Sum.
“The job loss among blue collar workers has been about proportional to that we experienced of the great depression of the early 1930’s.”

Tim Ahern, 63, of Bristol, Connecticut is among those blue collar workers struggling to find work in the construction field.

“There’s a lot of people on the bench, sitting and waiting,” said Ahern. “I went through that recession they had back in 73 but it’s never been like this. This is the worst that I’ve ever seen.”

Ahern is a member of Carpenters Local 210 out of Fairfield and says he’s not the only one looking for work.
“That’s the first question everybody asks there- when we gonna start working, when we gonna start?”

In the meantime, Ahern says he’s staying busy. “I’ll have something else that I can fall back on,” said Ahern. Government grants have helped him update his training in everything from hazmat safety to forklift operation.

“I’m collecting unemployment but I went through my 26 weeks. I’m already into three extensions this year, waiting for another one. I’ll see what happens,” said Ahern. He’s considering tapping his retirement funds.

“Our ability to maintain a healthy middle class is very dependent on being able to get a lot of these individuals back into the workplace and back into jobs to keep the rest of the economy going,” said Sum, who argues the loss of blue collar jobs effects all layers of society from banking to retail sales.

“You also have the case of a lot of these blue collar workers having a hard time meeting their mortgages. So then that creates problems for the ability of lending institutions to recover their loans,” explains Sum. “So there are very high multiplier effects from many manufacturing activities. So the loss of jobs spills over into the rest of the economy.”

Sum believes stimulus money should better target laborers who have lost so much in the midst of economic crisis.

“We need to be bailed out,” said Ahern. “We don’t want anything more than just, give us a job. Just let us do what we do best.”

Update: 5:23

The rain is still pummeling Massachusetts. Governor Deval Patrick is out braving the weather to tour the damage done by flood waters.

“There’s been quite a bit of damage from mother nature,” said Governor Patrick who declared a state of emergency this afternoon.
“We’re going to need some federal resources for clean-up.”

Fire departments and police have been scrambling across the eastern part of the state to keep up with calls. Residents are struggling with sewage back-up and flooded basements. Some neighborhoods have been evacuated.

“I have seen extraordinary heroism actually trying to save the dam at the Charles River in downtown Waltham,” said Patrick. “A state worker was out removing pins and some plates to relieve pressure behind the dam.”

Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy escorted the Governor across town showing him businesses underwater and swamped roads.

“I’m 56 years old. Everybody tells me it’s never been that high,” said McCarthy. “There’s a lot of people in Waltham. Flooding problems, sewer problems. Heartache, heartache, heartache.”

Update: 4:18

The evening commute is expected to be messy as rain continues to fall steadily. Roads and intersections are flooded forcing authorities to divert traffic in the metro Boston area. Some interstate exits remain closed. Melrose, Lawrence and Waltham have been hit hard- residents have been forced to evacuate homes in some areas. The Charles River is up and over it’s banks on Linden street in Waltham flooding businesses, vehicles and an apartment buildings.

Update: 3:19

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency citing the flooding that has forced road closures and evacuations in many cities and towns. He says the storm has stalled and state authorities are monitoring waterways and dams as rain continues to fall.

Post: 12:04

Rains and wind battered the east coast over the weekend and the slow moving storm continues to dump water on New England.

In Boston and the surrounding area rain is falling and authorities in many cities and towns are blocking streets in low lying areas where intersections and roads are swamped. Peabody and Woburn are among the hardest hit communities.

An apartment building in Waltham, Massachusetts was evacuated when the Charles River came over the banks. Roughly a dozen residents were brought to safety by heavy equipment.

Coastal flooding is a concern and fire departments along the coast are keeping a close eye on the raging waters slamming against sea walls on Cape Cod and the south shore.

Some interstate ramps have been closed due to flooding, snarling traffic. The evening commute is expected to be messy as well.

Storm drains and sewage lines are at maximum capacity in Boston and nearby Quincy where sewage is backing up into some homes.

At the height of the storm hundreds of thousands of people lost power from New Jersey to New Hampshire and today sporadic outages remain.

High winds brought trees down hitting wires and causing a multitude of power outages and several deaths.

Clean up efforts are underway south of Massachusetts. Contractors are clearing trees and utility workers are trying to get the lights back on in spots across New Jersey.

If lawmakers can reach a compromise, elderly drivers in Massachusetts will soon face additional tests if they want to renew their license after age 75. Today, the state Senate voted to impose new physical and cognitive screening on older drivers. The measure requires the results of a doctor’s assessment be provided to the Registry of Motor Vehicles once between the ages of 75 and 80, then every three years following.

The state legislature has been debating the controversial issue for years. It’s a hot button topic among lawmakers following a slew of accidents in which older drivers were behind the wheel, including the killing of a four-year-old girl in a crosswalk last year.

The Massachusetts House passed legislation on the matter in February requiring older drivers to pass a vision test and renew in person.

While advocates for the elderly argue the bill discriminates against seniors, proponents say it simply ensures drivers have the skills needed to be on the road.

A joint legislative committee will take both bills and work to create a comprehensive compromise before sending a final version to Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. The legislation is also expected to ban texting while driving.

Across the country, laws dictating restrictions or additional testing for elderly drivers vary widely. Some states require no special screening; others require more frequent renewals or vision testing. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, only New Hampshire and Illinois require a road test for drivers over 75 years old.

In the midst of a recession, the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine is helping thousands of families stay afloat.
Roughly 4,400 people work at the yard repairing submarines for America’s Navy. Several hundred more are expected to be hired by years end.

“It takes a village to repair submarines so we have all the mechanical trades such as the ship fitting, pipe fitting, machining, painting, blasting, electrician, electronics,” said Navy Capt. Bryant Fuller, Commander of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Established in 1800, the historic shipyard has employed generations of families. For more than 200 years, skilled craftsmen have found work and created the foundations of a community here.

Now, thanks to a heavy workload and the expectation that many workers will retire over the next decade, a hiring surge is underway. More than 100 new apprentices entered training earlier this month and Navy officials say 250 additional civilian positions will need to be filled by year end.

“We have a lot more people apply for the jobs than we’re actually able to hire,” said Capt. Fuller. “The good news for us is it enables us to really hire the best and the brightest and that’s what we need. We have very challenging, technically skilled positions and we need the best possible people we can to work on that. So, it does enable us to really pick the cream of the crop.”

In an economy where good jobs are hard to find, the shipyard offers full-time work and benefits.

Recent college graduate Skylar Latourneau, who was born and raised in Eliot, Maine, is among the newest hires.

“It was really difficult finding a job and I have a lot of friends I graduated with in college who are still looking for work,” said Latourneau, who is well aware of the competition he faced to become an apprentice at the shipyard. “So I feel very lucky and I know that everyone I was hired along with also feels very fortunate.”

The shipyard, with a payroll of roughly $400 million, draws employees from surrounding states.

“All surrounding towns, all the way up to Portland, an hour and half away, they all come down here for work and stuff,” said new apprentice James Mullins who recently completed his service in the armed forces. “I’m also serving my country in a different way now. I got out of the Navy and now I’m serving again. I was trying to look for that and I found it again at the shipyard.”

There is a shared sense of commitment and camaraderie among the sailors and civilians at the yard. Both serve a common purpose. Generations of sailors have protected America’s shores while generations of craftsmen have worked to ensure America’s sailors are safe.

“You can feel a lot of pride in everything you do,” said Chris Lapiana, an apprentice welder. “Building a quality product just to get those boys back- it’s a good feeling.”

For more information on jobs at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard:

www.usajobs.gov