Bank robber had helper, police allege

NORTHAMPTON - Police say a series of text messages helped link a Holyoke woman to the suspect in Friday's robbery of the Florence Savings Bank branch on King Street.

Landfill bill may nix solar lawsuit

AMHERST - A bill allowing all capped municipal landfills to serve as sites for solar projects, even if previous state capping grants had restricted their future use to recreational purposes, passed the state's House of Representatives unanimously Wednesday.

Haydenville woman tapped for probate court judgeship

NORTHAMPTON - Gov. Deval Patrick has nominated Beth A. Crawford of Haydenville for a judgeship at Hampshire Probate and Family Court.

Crawford is slated to fill the position left vacant by the retirement last May of Gail L. Perlman.

Nominees for probate judgeships in Bristol and Norfolk counties, Richard J. McMahon and Jennifer Marie Rivera Ulwick, were also announced Tuesday.

Alleged Florence Savings Bank robber held on $20,000 bail

NORTHAMPTON - A 33-year-old Holyoke man is being held on $20,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to a charge of unarmed robbery in connection with the Friday robbery of the Florence Savings Bank branch on King Street.

Thadius D. Romanowski, of 579 Northampton St., Apt. 14, appeared briefly in court on Monday for his arraignment.

Two charged in Childs Park drug deal

NORTHAMPTON - A tip about an after-school drug deal in Childs Park led to the arrests of two people Friday.

Leland A. Turner, 20, of 44 Plain Road, Hatfield, pleaded not guilty in Northampton District Court distribution of ecstasy, Vicodin and LSD (all class B drugs), and a drug violation near a school. Childs Park is located across the street from Northampton High School.

Housing Court judge rejects Granby gravel pit operation

GRANBY - Neighbors in the Batchelor Road area are happy and the Select Board is back at square one, now that a Housing Court judge has revoked a special permit allowing a gravel pit operation there.

Jury finds David Fried Oppenheim guilty on five counts of statutory rape

NORTHAMPTON - Over the quiet sobs of family and supporters, David Fried Oppenheim had handcuffs snapped around his wrists before being led out of the courtroom Monday, minutes after a jury of seven men and five women found him guilty on five counts of statutory rape of a child. Fried Oppenheim, of Easthampton, was convicted of repeatedly raping a former intern, performer, and volunteer at the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton between October 2005 and June 2007, beginning when the victim was 14 years old. Judge Mary-Lou Rup set sentencing for March 8.

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