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Holyoke, MA

Teen Accused Of Killing Man In Western Mass While Out On Bail: DA Teen Accused Of Killing Man In Western Mass While Out On Bail: DA
Teen Accused Of Killing Man In Western Mass While Out On Bail: DA The 19-year-old accused of killing a 38-year-old Hampden County man last month was out on bail at the time of the fatal shooting, authorities said.  Luis Rodriguez, of Chicopee, is charged with murder in the July 9 slaying of Dexter Ortiz, the Hampden District Attorney's Office said. Rodriguez was arrested on July 10 on motor vehicle charges and had his bail revoked in two other narcotics cases he is facing.  Police responded to a ShotSpotter alert in the 50 block of West Street in Holyoke just after 11:20 p.m. They found Ortiz with a bullet wound and two others sufferin…
Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old
Man Killed In Western Mass Shooting ID'd As 38-Year-Old Authorities have identified the 38-year-old man who was shot and killed on July 9 in Hampden County.  Dexter Ortiz, 38, of Holyoke, was gunned down just before 11:30 p.m. in the 50 block of West Street, the Hampden District Attorney said. Police responded to the area after receiving a ShotSpotter call. The shooting remains under investigation. Police have not named the shooter. 
Police Bust Man In Western Mass Double Shooting That Left 1 Dead Police Bust Man In Western Mass Double Shooting That Left 1 Dead
Police Bust Man In Western Mass Double Shooting That Left 1 Dead A 27-year-old Hampden County man has been arrested in connection with a double shooting that sent one man to the hospital and left another one dead earlier this month in Holyoke, authorities said.  Brian Gonzalez, of Holyoke, is charged with murder in the slaying of David Rivera on June 1, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office said.  Holyoke police were called to the 400 block of High Street around 2 a.m. to reports of a shooting that happened during an argument. Officers found a man suffering from a gunshot wound, and responders rushed him to Baystate Medical Center with no…
Jury Finds Woman Guilty Of Fatal Stabbing In Springfield Parking Lot: DA Jury Finds Woman Guilty Of Fatal Stabbing In Springfield Parking Lot: DA
Jury Finds Woman Guilty Of Fatal Stabbing In Springfield Parking Lot: DA A 24-year-old woman was found guilty of stabbing a young Holyoke mother to death during an argument in a parking lot in Springfield, authorities said.  Leshmarie Marin-Viera, 24, of Springfield, was found guilty of manslaughter this week in the death of Sully Santiago on Jan. 29, 2023, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday, June 12.  The attack happened in a parking lot on Liberty Street just before 2 a.m. Paramedics rushed Santiago to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died of her wounds. It's unclear what sparked the argum…
Springfield Man ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Double Shooting Springfield Man ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Double Shooting
Springfield Man ID'd As Victim In Fatal Western Mass Double Shooting A double shooting in Hampden County over the weekend sent one man to the hospital and another man to the morgue after an argument turned violent, authorities announced on Monday, June 3.  David Rivera, 31, of Springfield, was identified as the man who was killed in the shooting early Saturday morning in Holyoke, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said.  Police were called to the 400 block of High Street around 2 a.m. to reports of a shooting during an argument. They found one victim suffering non-life-threatening injuries.  Paramedics took him to Baystate Medical …
2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases 2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases
2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases Two Hampden County men who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting children in separate cases were sentenced to more than a decade in prison each, authorities said on Wednesday, May 22.  Thomas Ciccolini, 48, of Chicopee, admitted on May 9 to eight counts of aggravated rape of a child, two counts of posing a child in a sexual act, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and possession of child pornography, the Hampden District Attorney said.  He was sentenced to 12 to 14 years in prison. The prosecutor asked for up to 18 years.  Roberto Vasquez, 41, of Springfie…
Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass
Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass Police have arrested a third person they say was involved in the fatal shooting of Guyton Winspeare on a stretch of I-391 in Holyoke two months ago, authorities said.  Miguel Dones, 21, of Springfield, is charged with murder and a slew of drug offenses after police found narcotics and an AR-15-style rifle in his car during a traffic stop, the Hampden District Attorney said.  He was being held on a $25,000 cash bail, but that could change after he is indicted on the murder charge on Monday, May 20, authorities said.  Dones is the third person police have connected to the…
'A Rose In A World Of Thorns': Loved Ones Remember Mass Stabbing Victim As Kind, Funny, Caring 'A Rose In A World Of Thorns': Loved Ones Remember Mass Stabbing Victim As Kind, Funny, Caring
'A Rose In A World Of Thorns': Loved Ones Remember Mass Stabbing Victim As Kind, Funny, Caring Eileen Monaghan was a woman who loved deeply, her family and friends in Western Massachusetts said.  Unfortunately, it was someone she cared for who is accused of killing the mother of two.  The 48-year-old from Chicopee was found stabbed to death on Sunday, April 14, around 1:30 a.m. in a home on South Water Street in Holyoke after police were called for suspicious activity, officials said.  Police charged her Chicopee firefighter boyfriend Jason Chapdelaine with her murder.  Original Report: Sheriff's Assistant ID'd As Victim Of Domestic Violence Killing …
Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex
Prostitution Sting: 7 Busted Trying To Pay Holyoke Cops For Sex Seven men were arrested in Hampden County earlier this week for trying to pay an undercover officer for sex in a sting.  Hokyoke police conducted the operation to target human trafficking in the city, authorities said.  Related: 5 Charged In Springfield Undercover Prostitution Sting Each of the men was charged with soliciting sex for a fee, officials said.  Those arrested are: Jorge Lopez — 49 years old Jose Santiago — 68 years old Christopher Laines — 34 years old Josue Ortiz — 29 years old Sarom Soeng — 47 years old Guy Flathers — 72 years old Joseph Fournier — 61 years…
Thousands Raised To Help Young Son Of Western Mass Police Officer Diagnosed With Leukemia Thousands Raised To Help Young Son Of Western Mass Police Officer Diagnosed With Leukemia
Thousands Raised To Help Young Son Of Western Mass Police Officer Diagnosed With Leukemia A Massachusetts community has come together to raise tens of thousands of dollars to go toward helping a police officer's brave 11-month-old son fight a tough battle against cancer. The outpouring of support began after Hampden County police officer Crystal Conroy, a member of the Holyoke Police Department, learned her 11-month-old son Ashton has leukemia.  After the harrowing diagnosis was made, Conroy was forced to leave work for the foreseeable future to take care of Ashton as he fights the disease. Additionally, more strain was placed on the family, as Conroy's husband Ch…
Western Mass Mom Of 2 Allegedly Killed By Boyfriend ID'd As Sheriff's Assistant: DA Western Mass Mom Of 2 Allegedly Killed By Boyfriend ID'd As Sheriff's Assistant: DA
Western Mass Mom Of 2 Allegedly Killed By Boyfriend ID'd As Sheriff's Assistant: DA A 48-year-old Hampden County woman who was found stabbed to death in Holyoke next to her boyfriend was the executive assistant to Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, authorities said.  Eileen Monaghan, of Chicopee, and a mother to two daughters, was found on Sunday, April 14, around 1:30 a.m. in a home on South Water Street after police were called for suspicious activity, officials said.  Police found Eileen on the ground next to her boyfriend, Jason Chapdelaine, who was suffering from stab wounds, police said. Investigators later ruled those cuts were self-inflicted.  …
2 Charged With Car-To-Car Fatal Shooting That Killed Father Of 1 In Western Mass 2 Charged With Car-To-Car Fatal Shooting That Killed Father Of 1 In Western Mass
2 Charged With Car-To-Car Fatal Shooting That Killed Father Of 1 In Western Mass A Hampden County teenager and 22-year-old woman have been charged in connection with the death of a father of one as they drove along I-391 earlier this month, authorities said.  Noah Torres, 19, of Springfield, and Kiana Gonzalez, 22, of Holyoke, are linked to the death of 35-year-old Guyton Winspeare, 35, of Chicopee on March 12, the Hampden County District Attorney said. The shooting happened just before 8:45 p.m. between exits 3 and 4 on I-391 South in Chicopee when one person fired shots into another car on the interstate. Two people were injured in the shooting, and the…
Best Burgers In Massachusetts Found At These Restaurants, Survey Says Best Burgers In Massachusetts Found At These Restaurants, Survey Says
Best Burgers In Massachusetts Found At These Restaurants, Survey Says The votes are in, and these are the best hamburgers in Massachusetts, according to burgerphiles. Over 5,000 voters took part in a survey conducted by Taste of Massachusetts asking where to find the best beef patties in the Bay State. More than 1,000 people tossed their favorite restaurants into the running and, after four rounds of “some very close voting,” the website had its ranking of the 16 best burgers in Massachusetts. Taking the crown with the number one spot was Norfolk County’s Lewis’ Bar and Grill, located in Norwood at 92 Central Street. A neighborhood staple since 1939, the s…
Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street
Man, 65, Killed Crossing Holyoke Street A 65-year-old man was killed after being hit by a car as he crossed the road in Hampden County earlier this week.  The Holyoke man was crossing near the intersection of South Street and Charles Street around 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 11, authorities said.  Paramedics rushed him to Baystate Medical Center, where he died of his injuries.  The driver who hit him remained on the scene and called 911. No charges have been filed as of Thursday.  Police have not released the man's name as they notify his family.  The crash is under investigation, and no charges had been fi…
Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass
Massage Parlor Owners Busted On Prostitution, Sex Trafficking Charges In Western Mass A couple who ran a Hampden County massage parlor were using it as a brothel, police in Westfield announced on Thursday, Feb. 1.  Todd and Baushun Simonds, both of Holyoke, were arrested after police raided the Southampton Road Massage and Body Work at 282 Southampton Road in Westfield, Westfield police said.  Police had been investigating the couple for some time and had determined they were trafficking in women to perform sexual favors on customers for money, though, the workers were not being paid, police said. The only money they kept were the tips they received from their…
'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder 'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder
'A Life Could Have Been Saved': Ludlow Man Out On Bail Now Accused Of Murder A 28-year-old Hampden County man with an extensive criminal history and was out on bail for two gun-related charges has been accused of gunning down a Springfield man, police said.  Ethan Fitzgerald, of Ludlow, is charged with murder, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and discharging a gun within 500 Feet of a building, Springfield police said.  Authorities arrested Fitzgerald on Thursday, Jan. 25, around 10 a.m. during a sting involving multiple police agencies when they stopped him near the intersection of Jefferson Avenue an…
Donovan's Irish Pub Now Open In Holyoke, Boasts Updated Menu Donovan's Irish Pub Now Open In Holyoke, Boasts Updated Menu
Donovan's Irish Pub Now Open In Holyoke, Boasts Updated Menu A "unique oasis of Irish culture" that once resided in Springfield's Eastfield Mall has opened to new digs in Holyoke.  Donovan's Irish Pub opened its doors at 80 Jarvis Road last week. It features authentic Irish cuisine, drinks, and live entertainment.  The restaurant released its new and updated menu to go along with the new location on its Facebook page. Mike and Diane Donovan opened the restaurant in 2000 at Eastfield Mall. Ownership changed hands in 2015, but the mission has remained the same — bringing a slice of Irish culture and life to Hampden County.  Donovan's Irish Pub is ope…
Cannabis Dust Contributed To Woman's Death In Holyoke Facility: Mass Health Dept. Cannabis Dust Contributed To Woman's Death In Holyoke Facility: Mass Health Dept.
Cannabis Dust Contributed To Woman's Death In Holyoke Facility: Mass Health Dept. A new report from the Massachusetts Department of Health said a woman who died at a Hampden County cannabis facility is the state's first workplace asthma-related death.  Lorna McMurrey, 27, of West Springfield, was filling pre-rolled joints at the Trulieve facility in Holyoke on Jan. 4, 2022, when she told her coworkers that she couldn't breathe and fell unconscious, the report said. Paramedics rushed her to an area hospital, where she remained on life support until her death three days later.  The medical examiner ruled that McMurrey died of “brain death, due to cardia…
Man Runs Out Of Gas In Western Mass, Ends Up In Jail: Police Man Runs Out Of Gas In Western Mass, Ends Up In Jail: Police
Man Runs Out Of Gas In Western Mass, Ends Up In Jail: Police A Springfield man who ran out of gas got help from State Police in Hampden County, but he didn't realize it would lead to him sitting in a jail cell.  Jamal Ramos, age 25, was found on the shoulder of I-91 in Holyoke earlier this month, State Police said. He said he couldn't get gas and asked for help getting a tow truck to his location.  However, as they waited, police learned Ramos didn't have a driver's license, authorities said. Officers wrote him a ticket.  Officers went to inventory the car before it was towed away, but Ramos got nervous and refused to move away from the vehicle, au…
Holyoke Community Rallies To Save Greek Place As Owners Face Eviction After 40 Years Holyoke Community Rallies To Save Greek Place As Owners Face Eviction After 40 Years
Holyoke Community Rallies To Save Greek Place As Owners Face Eviction After 40 Years The Greek Place, which has been a staple at the Holyoke Mall for over 40 years, is closing its doors on Thursday, Nov. 30, after receiving an eviction notice from the mall’s owners. “When I read it, I couldn’t believe it,” owner Maria Muche told MassLive, in shock. “This is not real. And I put it in the seat next to me. Two days later, I went back in my car, saw the letter, and read it. It started sinking in.” Muche haș run the business since Dec. 13, 1979, according to The Greek Place’s Facebook page. But Pyramid Management Group had other goals to expand the mall. Don’t want to mak…
Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police
Officers Shutdown 'Open-Air' Drug Market In Holyoke: Police Angry neighbors fed up with crime in their neighborhood called police in Hampden County to demand action. Holyoke police created a task force with the FBI and ATF to do just that, and officers and agents were able to shut down a group of alleged drug dealers, authorities announced.  Holyoke police said they received several complaints about drugs from neighbors in the area of Maple Street. As officers began to investigate, they learned there was an "open-air' drug operation being run out of an apartment at 456 Maple St., officials said.  Police raided the apartment and found large…
Alleged Springfield Drug Dealer Busted After Neighbors Fed Up With Crime Demanded Action: Cops Alleged Springfield Drug Dealer Busted After Neighbors Fed Up With Crime Demanded Action: Cops
Alleged Springfield Drug Dealer Busted After Neighbors Fed Up With Crime Demanded Action: Cops A 36-year-old Springfield man can thank residents near where he was allegedly selling drugs for his arrest on Wednesday, Nov. 8, authorities said.  Edwin Fontanez faces several felony charges following his bust in the 900 block of Worthington St. just after 2 p.m., Springfield police said.  Police began investigating that area after residents became fed up with crime in their neighborhood. Several called officers and demanded they do something about it, authorities said.  Police began watching the area. On Wednesday, they watched Fontanez make a suspected drug deal, and they arrested him,…
Man Wanted In Newborn's Killing Surrenders To Western Mass Police After Month On Run: DA Man Wanted In Newborn's Killing Surrenders To Western Mass Police After Month On Run: DA
Man Wanted In Newborn's Killing Surrenders To Western Mass Police After Month On Run: DA A 28-year-old Hamden County man who has been on the run since he was accused of a shooting that caused the death of a newborn baby on Oct. 4 has surrendered to police in Holyoke.  Kermith Alvarez will be arraigned on a murder charge on Monday, the Hampden County District Attorney said. He was one of the state's 10 most wanted before he gave himself up.  Alvarez is one of three men accused of a shooting in the 100 block of Sargeant Street in Holyoke on Oct. 4, police said. The trio was in an argument that ended in gunfire. One of the bullets struck a passing bus and hit rider …
Woman Busted In Vicious Stabbing Attack In Westen Mass: Police Woman Busted In Vicious Stabbing Attack In Westen Mass: Police
Woman Busted In Vicious Stabbing Attack In Westen Mass: Police Police in Hampden County have arrested a 31-year-old woman in connection with a back alley stabbing in Worcester last week, authorities said.  Francheska Vazquez, of Holyoke, is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon with serious bodily injury, assault to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (knife), Holyoke police said.  A Good Samaritan flagged down officers patrolling Sargeant Street around 10 p.m. on Oct. 26 to let them know a woman had been stabbed in an alley nearby. Police rushed to the area to …
(WATCH) Stoned Fugitive Crashes Car In Front Of Holyoke Police Station: Cops (WATCH) Stoned Fugitive Crashes Car In Front Of Holyoke Police Station: Cops
(Watch) Stoned Fugitive Crashes Car In Front Of Holyoke Police Station: Cops A wanted woman with a long history of driving while high drove onto the sidewalk in front of the Holyoke Police Department in Hampden County on Friday morning, Oct. 27, and crashed into multiple poles, authorities said.  Brenda Johnson, 30, who was already wanted on two open warrants, has several more following the early morning calamity, Holyoke police said.  Today around 6:50 AM a vehicle driving east on Appleton Street struck a light pole and the two flag poles outside the... Posted by Holyoke Police Department on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 The crash happened just before 7 a.m. whe…
2 More Busted In Baby's Killing In Western Mass, Charged With Helping Shooter: DA 2 More Busted In Baby's Killing In Western Mass, Charged With Helping Shooter: DA
2 More Busted In Baby's Killing In Western Mass, Charged With Helping Shooter: DA Two people in Hampden County have been arrested and charged with helping one of the men accused of shooting an innocent bystander and killing her baby in a Holyoke shooting earlier this month, authorities announced Tuesday, Oct. 17.  Jose Galarza, age 31, and Jay Marie Rosado-Rosario, age 29, both of Holyoke, are charged with accessory after the fact – murder, the Hampden County District Attorney said. Investigators said they helped Kermith Alvarez, the third suspect in the shooting, evade capture after the killing.  Related: Third Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Bab…
'Horrific Living Conditions': 3 Kids Removed From Western Mass Home Deemed 'Uninhabitable' 'Horrific Living Conditions': 3 Kids Removed From Western Mass Home Deemed 'Uninhabitable'
'Horrific Living Conditions': 3 Kids Removed From Western Mass Home Deemed 'Uninhabitable' Three children were taken from a Hampden County apartment last week after investigators searched it on a drugs warrant and found the living conditions "horrific," Holyoke police said.  A task force of several area agencies raided the home at 149 Essex Street to search for drugs, but what they found was much worse. Three children were living in squalor without basic necessities, Holyoke police said.  Officers who entered the home said they "were exposed to horrific living conditions," police said in a social media post. Police contacted the Board of Health, who deemed the home unin…
Accused Holyoke Killer Who Fled To Puerto Rico Won't Be Running Anywhere Anytime Soon: DA Accused Holyoke Killer Who Fled To Puerto Rico Won't Be Running Anywhere Anytime Soon: DA
Accused Holyoke Killer Who Fled To Puerto Rico Won't Be Running Anywhere Anytime Soon: DA A 22-year-old Holyoke man accused of a fatal shooting in the summer before fleeing to Puerto Rico is back in Massachusetts and was denied bail at his arraignment Thursday, Oct. 12, authorities said.  Aleq Rodriguez is charged with murder in the killing of Edgar Soto-Irizarry on June 22, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said. The judge at his arraignment ordered him held without bail and revoked his bail from an open firearms case.  Police were called to an apartment building in the 300 block of Appleton Street just before 9:30 a.m., where they found 30-year-old&n…
3rd Man Wanted In Shooting That Killed Newborn In Western Mass Added To Most Wanted List 3rd Man Wanted In Shooting That Killed Newborn In Western Mass Added To Most Wanted List
3rd Man Wanted In Shooting That Killed Newborn In Western Mass Added To Most Wanted List A man who Hampden County police say was involved in a shooting that struck an innocent bystander and killed her unborn baby has been added to the state's most wanted list.  Kermith D. Alvarez is wanted on a murder charge in connection with the Oct. 4 shooting in Holyoke, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said. Johnluis Sanchez, age 30, and Alejandro Ramos, age 22, were previously charged in the Oct. 4 shooting.  Related: Duo Nabbed In Holyoke Shooting That Led To Baby's Death Investigators said the men got into an argument and exchanged gunfire at the intersection of Sargean…
Latest Update: Duo Nabbed In Shooting That Left Infant Dead, Mom Critical In Mass Latest Update: Duo Nabbed In Shooting That Left Infant Dead, Mom Critical In Mass
Latest Update: Duo Nabbed In Shooting That Left Infant Dead, Mom Critical In Mass Two men now face charges in connection to a Hampden County shooting that injured an uninvolved pregnant woman on a bus, resulting in the death of her infant, officials said.  Holyoke residents Johnluis Sanchez, age 30, and Alejandro Ramos, age 22, were both arrested in connection to a shooting on Wednesday, Oct. 4 that resulted in the death of an infant, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday, Oct. 6.  Earlier Report: Update - Holyoke Shooting: Infant Dies Shortly After Birth, Mom In Critical Condition On the day of the shooting, around 12:…
'Some Serious Firepower' Found In Mass Man's Home During Search, Police Say 'Some Serious Firepower' Found In Mass Man's Home During Search, Police Say
'Some Serious Firepower' Found In Mass Man's Home During Search, Police Say A 38-year-old Hampden County man who has already been convicted of illegal firearms charges three times was arrested again following the discovery of an arsenal of ammunition, drugs, and cash in his home, police said. Springfield resident Ivan Marrero Jr., age 38, was arrested on Wednesday, Oct. 4 following a search of his Eastern Avenue home conducted by members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit, Springfield Police announced.  The search was a culmination of a months-long drug and illegal firearm investigation into Marrero's residence.  Before …