Students Face Sanctions Following Super Bowl Arrests
The Dean of Students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst will immediately launch a disciplinary review of 13 students arrested Sunday night during a campus disturbance following the Super Bowl.

Hampshire Council of Governments Hires Director of Electricity
The Hampshire Council of Governments (Council) is pleased to announce that John P. O’Rourke is the new Director of Electricity.

Jury Finds David Fried Oppenheim Guilty On 5 Counts Of Rape And Abuse Of A Child
After deliberating for 2½ hours on Friday and an additional 5 hours today, the jury found Fried Oppenheim, of Easthampton, guilty of repeatedly raping a former acting student and intern at the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton while she was 14-15 years old, from 2007 until 2009

Fay Enters Not Guilty Plea Charges Relating To Plane Crash In Orange
A not guilty plea was entered by Judge John Agostini recently in Franklin Superior Court in Greenfield, Mass. on behalf of Steven T. Fay,who was arraigned  on one count of manslaughter for “unintentionally and unlawfully” causing the death of Jessica L. Malin, 35, by means of “wanton or reckless conduct” in connection with a Jan. 1 plane crash in Orange.

REALTOR® Association Of Pioneer Valley Reports Single-Family Home Sales & Prices Down in 2011
Hampshire County sales figures up, however.

Alleged Child Rapist Bail Hearing Set For February 14
Frank L. Stanley, 40, of Hadley, appeared in Hampshire Superior Court today in connection with multiple child rape, indecent assault and battery and related charges.

Indictments Returned In Armed Christmas Eve Burglary Case
A Hampshire County Grand Jury returned indictments today in the case of Nancy Gehrung, 48 , of Northampton, in connection with an armed Christmas Day burglary.

Western Massachusetts Communities Among 25 Awarded $14 Million For Parks
Amherst awarded $208,320, Holyoke awarded $1.4 million, and Northampton gets $500,000.  Springfield, Westfield, and Wilbraham also among communities to benefit from grant disbursements.

Governor Patrick Visits Gill Elementary To Celebrate Student Performance And Discuss Administration’s Efforts To Close Achievement Gap.
School awarded Commendation status for narrowing proficiency gaps among students.

New York City Man Sentenced To Seven To Nine Years In State Prison For February Stabbings In Northampton
Gaifill F. Ruiz , 43, of New York City, was sentenced by Judge Richard Carey in Hampshire Superior Court yesterday, Jan. 10, 2012, to a seven - nine year state prison term followed by five years of probation

NWDA Announces Call For Student Music Videos Promoting The White Ribbon Campaign To End Violence Against Women
The Northwestern District Attorney's Domestic Violence Task Force is calling on students to create short music videos encouraging fellow students to take the White Ribbon Pledge "never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women."<

George Washington University Study Shows The Commonwealth Saves Money With The Masshealth Smoking Cessation Benefit
The Hampshire Council of Governments is excited to report that a new study shows the tobacco cessation benefit offered through Masshealth is saving the Commonwealth money.

Patrick-Murray Administration Outlines Economic And Community Development Priorities To Grow Jobs And Support Revitalization In Springfield.
Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today convened a meeting with cabinet secretaries and local officials to discuss economic development opportunities for the City of Springfield. The Administration joined local officials to outline priority economic development initiatives to spur job creation, economic activity and revitalization in Springfield.

Orange Man Indicted For November 24 Shooting
At today’s arraignment in Franklin Superior Court, Judge John Agostini ordered Robert "Bobby" Donovan, 25, of Orange held on $20,000 cash in connection with the shooting on Nov. 24, 2011 of Brian "Cali" Baker inside Donovan's 18 Mechanic Street apartment. Donovan is to have no contact with the victim or witnesses in the case.