Cross purposes: Proposed Westover cutbacks highlight competing interests in state's defense ties

CHICOPEE - Last week's announcement by Air Force officials that they intend to halve the number of cargo jets stationed at Westover Air Reserve Base served to highlight Massachusetts' heavy reliance on federal defense spending, according local lawmakers and analysts. The announcement also demonstrates Congress' sometimes conflicting goals of austerity and job creation, they said. The Bay State receives billions of dollars annually in defense contracts while its six military installations serve as a static but steady source of employment, they noted. "Do we want to start these budget cuts at a time when the economy is really struggling?" asked Robert Nakosteen, a professor at the Isenberg School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Area police news

Bar altercation leads to assault charge

AMHERST - Police arrested a South Hadley man early Monday following a confrontation with another bar patron, police said.

Charges listed for 14 arrested at UMass after Super Bowl

AMHERST - Fourteen people were arrested by University of Massachusetts Police Sunday night during large gatherings at the Southwest area of the campus following the Super Bowl.

The following 11 people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct:

Police arrest 14 as crowd of 1,500 gathers at UMass following Super Bowl

AMHERST - Police in riot gear used percussion and smoke grenades to help clear a crowd of some 1,500 people at the University of Massachusetts following the New York Giants 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Sunday night. There were 14 arrests. State and Amherst police were called to the campus to assist. A large crowd of UMass students gathered in the Southwest dormitory plaza shortly after the Giants' victory around 9:55 p.m., said university spokesman Edward Blaguszewski. He said police ordered the gathering to disperse at 10:08 p.m.

• Related story: Repeat loss Super disappointment

Repeat loss by Patriots is Super disappointment for fans

BOSTON - Hundreds of officers who lined the streets of Boston had little to do as fans quietly mourned their team's Super Bowl loss Sunday night, but 14 people were arrested across the state at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst when police in riot gear dispersed a rambunctious crowd.

UMass, GCC make friendly wagers on Super Bowl with New York schools

A few local institutions of higher learning are so confident that the New England Patriots will triumph over the New York Giants in the Super Bowl Sunday that they have made friendly wagers with two New York schools.

Area police news

11-year-old arrested for alleged assault

NORTHAMPTON - Police arrested an 11-year-old West Farms Road boy Thursday after he allegedly threw a bottle at his mother during an argument.

The boy, whose name was not released because of his age, is to face charged in juvenile court of assault and battery and assault with a dangerous weapon.