The mayor’s public records request to the Secretary of State’s office and its response yesterday reveal that city officials were never notified in time to meet a June 1 state deadline to place a proposed new city charter on the November ballot. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON, MA — The Mass. Secretary of State’s office never [...]

Released last month on personal recognizance after threatening to murder his wife and another woman, the insurance company executive was caught drinking – in violation of his probation – and was ordered locked up until his next court appearance. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Disgraced insurance man Scott King, arrested June 1 for threatening to kill his [...]

Sullivan has dropped pending arson and murder charges against Baye and will reconstruct the Commonwealth’s case in both the 2007 and 2009 Northampton fires. The announcement comes on the heels of a high court ruling that tosses the Commonwealth’s prime piece of evidence: a videotaped confession to state cops.   NORTHAMPTON – Alleged arsonist and [...]

  With only one legal taxi cab now operating in the city, Chief Sienkiewicz’ letter to unauthorized “livery” cabs has stirred activity at the city clerk’s office.   By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Unauthorized cabs operating in the city as taxis but not registered with the city and operating outside its strict taxi cab regulations [...]

Police arrested the longtime insurance man last Thursday after his wife and a co-worker each said he threatened to kill them. Earlier that day, King’s wife requested and obtained a restraining order that forced the city native to leave the couple’s Florence home and stay 100 yards away from her, court documents state.   By [...]

Citing Financial Losses, Peter Pan Pulls the Plug on its Fleet of Hybrid Taxis. The Departure Leaves the City with Only One Licensed Taxi Cab as City Officials Scramble To Enforce the Regulation of Illegal Operators.   By  DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – The Green Cab Company, an off-shoot of Peter Pan Bus Lines from Springfield, [...]

Because the agenda wasn’t posted for the BPW’s April 25 meeting, when hefty water and sewer rate hikes were adopted, the board was ordered to take a “re-vote” last night. This time, more than two dozen residents – most of them from Ward 6 – showed up to cry foul. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Last night, for [...]

A Northampton District Court Judge Again Denies Bail For Suspect Ryan Daniel Welch, While Prosecutor Says Welch Made an Earlier Knife Threat on Jessica Ann Pripstein’s Life, Telling Her that Police Would Never Take Him Alive. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Accused murderer Ryan Daniel Welch of Easthampton was again ordered held without bail today [...]

The state’s highest court heard oral arguments last Nov. 9, and their ruling on admissibility of the 9-hour police interrogation could make or break the high-profile arson and murder case against suspect Anthony Baye. The defense says the cops went too far, lied about the law and made false promises of leniency to force a [...]

A police search of the alleged killer’s apartment yielded bottles of prescription drugs for anxiety and depression, one of which – Gabapentin – the FDA warned would increase the risk of suicide or violent deaths. Suboxone, used to treat narcotics addiction, was also found. By DAVID REID EASTHAMPTON – Five returned search warrants in the murder case [...]

The former owner of TJ’s Sports Bar agrees to pay $42,000 in cash as part of a guilty plea that brings probation, avoids jail time and lets him keep his Bridge Street home. By DAVID REID   NORTHAMPTON – John Smith, arrested last October for having 30 pounds of marijuana in his home here, has [...]

Financial woes at some area golf courses result from a weak economy, last year’s late-summer rains and a late-October blizzard. By DAVID REID HOLYOKE – Music mogul and businessman Eric Suher, of Holyoke, bought the Holyoke Country Club on Thursday, paying $850,000 for the 112-acre parcel at 2 Country Club Road, according to records of [...]

Police allege that Northampton High School graduate Thadius Romanowski held up the Florence Savings Bank here on Friday. His name has appeared in police reports since 2003 for receiving stolen property, forging a check and possession of a hypodermic needle. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Acting on tips about an unmasked bank robber who held up [...]

State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office are investigating the bomb threat, which could being the perpetrator up to 20 years in state prison and a $50,000 fine. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – A letter delivered to the Northampton District Court claimed a bomb was in the building, and it forced an evacuation of the [...]

With some city revenues falling short and free cash at an histsorically low level, the mayor tells department heads to tighten their belts. Until further notice,there will be  no spending over $250 and no new hiring without an OK from Room One. By DAVID REID NORTHAMPTON – Mayor David Narkewicz today sent a “spending advisory” memo [...]