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www.thewestfieldnews.com www.thewestfieldnews.com TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017
VOL.86 86NO. NO.151 266 VOL.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017
Picture of Jason Blair, 39, provided by Westfield Police.
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Southampton Road first graders teach School Committee about cranberries
Level 3 sex offender moves to Westfield By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD —Police have reported that a level 3 sex offender has moved to the city. Jason M. Blair, 39, is a level 3 sex offender and a notice was sent by Westfield Police. According to the notice, Blair resides at 21 Holland Ave., in Westfield, and the location is also listed as one of his work addresses. Blair has a second work address listed at 25 Highland Ave., 1, Apt B3, West Springfield. Blair is described in the notice as 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 180 pounds, with hazel eyes and is bald. Blair was convicted on the charge of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over on two occasions: Once on Nov. 22, 1991, and once on Sept. 25, 2001. According to the notice: “The individual who appears on the following profile has been finally classified as a Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender by the Sex Offender Registry Board. The Board has determined that this individual has a moderate or high risk to reoffend and that the degree of dangerousness posed to the public is such that public safety interest is served by public availability of registration information.”
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By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD — Southampton Road elementary first graders in Terry Mason’s class gave a presentation to School Committee members Monday on how to plant a cranberry bog in a cup. First graders Madison St. Peter, Talia Marx, Meredith Callini and Cruz Baumann took turns talking about cranberries and their project. Cranberries are one of only three fruits native to North America, in addition to Concord grapes and blueberries. Cranberries don’t actually grow in water, like most people think, but on vines in beds layered with sand, peat, gravel and clay. Cruz Baumann said the way you can tell if a cranberry is fresh is by whether or not it bounces. Cranberries have pockets of air inside that makes them bounce. If damaged or spoiled, they will not bounce. To demonstrate, Baumann dropped a small cup of cranberries on the chamber floor, to everybody’s delight.
Having a Ball
See First Graders Teach, Page 3
Stanislav and Anastasia Nester enjoy a dance at the Noble Ball. See additional photos from the 53rd Annual Baystate Noble Ball Page 8. (Photo by Marc St.Onge)
Student survey details risk and protective factors in Westfield By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD — At the School Committee meeting on Monday, Westfield Public Schools CFO Ronald R. Rix shared the results of the Bach Harrison Survey of Risk and Prevention taken by 951 students in grades 8 through 12 this year, Rix started with a series of questions for the School Committee members. He asked them not to reveal the questions they were given, but to share their responses. The responses from all were similar, including boredom, depression, family problems, and rebellious behavior. Rix then asked them to share the questions, and they ranged from doing poorly in school, to using tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Rix said that people tend to focus on the behaviors rather than the root causes, which are similar for most risky behaviors. “Can we do something about the causes? Can we make kids not bored in school?” he asked. Rix explained that every student in Westfield has both risk and protective factors. He said psycho-social causes for risky behavior include alienation, depression, emotional pain and family problems. He said a high risk student See Risk, Page 3
Boy Scouts plan recruitment day, holiday breakfast By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD — Boy Scout Troop 821 extends a welcome to local boys, ages 11 to 17, to learn about the Boy Scout program during a unique, fun-filled afternoon Nov. 11 at the Moses Scout Reservation in Russell. The troop, sponsored by Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, is hosting its “Eight-Two-Fun Day” from 1 to 4 p.m. “Parents are welcome to stay and meet the adult leaders of our troop and learn about the Boy Scout program and how it differs from Cub Scouting,” said Assistant Scoutmaster Heidi Trottier. Trottier serves with Dan Phaneuf, assistant scoutmaster, on the recruitment committee. Scout Master Christian Muldrew will also be on hand to answer questions throughout the event. Activities throughout the afternoon include first aid demonstrations, a fire-building competition, wood cutting, knot tying, and creating a shelter. Additionally, boys can participate in an obstacle course and pumpkin chunkin’. An early “light” meal will be provided including hamburgers, hot dogs and the troop’s favorite, chili, with “secret ingredients.” “Team building and troop bonding games will round out the event,” said Trottier. For more information and to RSVP by Nov. 10, contact Trottier at (413) 348-8265 or via email to htrottier@comcast.net. In a related note, Troop 821 will once again host its annual “Breakfast with Santa” on Dec. 2 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children (children under 3 admitted free). Menu items include pancakes with
Scouts Garrette Ondrick and Nathan Black practice making fire – one of the skills that will be taught during a scouting recruitment afternoon on Nov. 11. (Submitted photo)
syrup, bacon, juice, coffee and tea. Highlights of the event include being served by the Boy Scouts, a chance to win silent auction raffle prizes, and being photographed with Santa Claus. A nominal fee is charged for the photo session with Santa. The raffle is being hosted by the “Friends of Scouting” See Boy Scouts, Page 3
Southampton Road first grade teacher Terry Mason with students Madison St. Peter, Talia Marx, Meredith Callini and Cruz Baumann and their cranberry bog display. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Westfield State hosts Military Appreciation Night WESTFIELD — Westfield State University will honor its student veterans and all attending military members, and their families, with Military Appreciation Night at the November 10 football game against Western Connecticut State University. The Veteran’s Day Eve event will take place on Westfield State’s campus, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Currently enrolled at Westfield State are 231 military-connected students, which includes those in active-duty, veterans, and family members of both. The event begins with a free Military/Veteran Resource Fair at 5:30 p.m. and a tailgating party from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Horace Mann Center parking lot. The fair includes information for veterans and military members with representation from Homeward Vets, Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE), Veterans Inc., and Berkshire Bank, among others. In addition, there will be a collection for Homeward Vets, an organization which serves veterans in need who are underprivileged and underserved, to build their lives. Items in need include silverware, cups, plates, pots, and pans. The free tailgate event begins at 6 p.m. with hamburgers, hot dogs and other refreshments to be served. “At Westfield State University, we have a strong commitment to our military, veterans and family members because we understand our military community,” said Lisa Ducharme, Westfield State’s veteran and military services coordinator and a retired noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force. “The Military Community Excellence Center at Westfield State University, which opened earlier this year, has been a great resource for the university’s military-connected students,” said Ducharme. The Nov. 10 football game begins at 7 p.m. on Alumni Field. The Legion family in Westfield—which includes the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion—will post the colors prior to kickoff. Game admission is free for veterans, military members and their families. Adult tickets are $6 and students and senior tickets are $3. To park in the Horace Mann Parking lot, please RSVP by November 8 to LDucharme@westfield.ma.edu or http://www. formexperts.com/forms/E1EYNE4LBGP2 Military, veterans, their family members, and collegiate seniors will all receive buttons designating the celebration. The event is organized by Westfield State University Athletics, the Office Veteran and Military Services, and the Westfield State Veterans Association.