N.H. pilot arraigned in crash death in Orange

GREENFIELD - While friends argued that the New Hampshire pilot charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his daughter has suffered enough from the New Year's Day crash last year in Orange, the prosecutor argued Wednesday that his actions had recklessly jeopardized not only his own and his daughter's lives but those of anyone on the ground.

Astronaut Catherine 'Cady' Coleman shares vision of space travel

GREENFIELD - There was even NASA-friendly Tang on hand for the 140 or so audience members Friday as Shelburne astronaut Catherine "Cady" Coleman conveyed her enthusiasm for space exploration to folks on Earth.

It was the largest crowd to attend a nonholiday breakfast meeting of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce in years.

Senate boosts heat aid; region could see $725,000

NORTHAMPTON - State help may be on the way to heat homes of low-income people in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

The Senate Thursday passed a supplemental budget to augment federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding, which had been cut back this year.

Social Security office to close in Greenfield

GREENFIELD - Following a national push to reduce costs, the Social Security field office at 1 Arch Place will close by the end of March and consolidate with an office in Holyoke.

"This was one of the difficult decisions we have had to make," said Regional Communications Director Roberto Medina.

Two get state prison time for Greenfield jail riot

GREENFIELD - Two of the 12 Franklin County House of Correction inmates accused of participating in a July riot that caused $173,000 in damage pleaded guilty to related charges Wednesday.

Joseph White, 28, and Jamie Woodman, 32, both pleaded guilty to one count each of malicious destruction of property over $250, and disturbing a correctional institution in Franklin Superior Court.

Orange shooting suspect held on $20,000 bail

GREENFIELD (AP) - A man from Orange accused of shooting another man in the alleged shooter's apartment is ordered held on $20,000 bail.

Twenty-five-year-old Robert Donovan pleaded not guilty Monday in Franklin Superior Court to charges including aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and misleading police.