The Westfield News Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 022 Federal judge speaks to students in new Criminal Justice pathway By AMY PORTER ment. He previously taught at tory sentencing, and the most found the body and prosecut- Staff Writer Putnam Vocational High interesting or difficult case he ed the case to a guilty verdict. WESTFIELD – On Jan. 24, School in Springfield. was ever involved in. He also said it was very sad; U.S. District Court Judge Vanasse said Mastroianni is He spoke about his first two young men from nice Mark Mastroianni spoke to on the advisory committee murder case as a young pros- families, one dead, one in Westfield High School fresh- helping to steer the program ecutor, when he was assigned prison for life. men who are pursuing the and inform them about oppor- to work with police and inves- Mastroianni said he has new Criminal Justice path- tunities in the field. tigate a young man who had been involved in many cases way under Instructor Jack Mastroianni introduced gone missing. involving forensics. He said Vanasse. himself to the class, saying he He said it turned out the for the most part, forensics The students have complet- was appointed as a U.S. young man had been killed by done in the court is paid for ed the first semester in a crim- District Court judge in 2014 another young man who was by the state to prosecute a inal justice exploratory pro- by President Barack Obama. a rival for his girlfriend. A case. A defendant has to pay gram and have committed to Prior to being judge, he friend of the rival who had for his own forensics experts, continuing on in the program. served as assistant district helped to hide the body unless he is unable to pay. WHS is seeking to become a attorney, and then district showed him the approximate Mastroianni also talked Chapter 74 certified pathway attorney in Springfield for area where it had been hid- about plea bargains and mini- in the school. three years. He has also den. He said he still remem- mum mandatory sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Mark G. Mastroianni speaks to “We’re pretty excited to served as a prosecutor and bers the sight and smell when which he said some people freshmen at Westfield High School. (Photo by Amy Porter) have Judge Mastroianni here. defense attorney. they found the missing man. want to eliminate, and about Criminal Justice is off to a Mastroianni said he gradu- They had to identify him criminal justice reform that added. After the class, Mastroianni very good start,” said WHS ated from American through dental records, which looks at why the system is Vanasse said when the class said he was thrilled to be Principal Charles Jendrysik. International College and was the judge’s first involve- harsher on people with lower visited the Westfield District asked to serve on the Criminal He said that Vanasse has received his Law degree from ment with forensics in the economic status. Court, a judge yelled at a Justice advisory committee at made a number of contacts Western New England days before DNA. They also “Why if you look at the defendant for wearing a hood- WHS. and connections in the com- College of Law. He said even had to do forensic work on people incarcerated, is there a ie, which made an impression “I’m invested in Westfield munity who are helping them with his background, he tire tracks, blood spills and higher number of black and on the students. Public Schools — my three to bring a well-rounded view wasn’t interested in criminal blood patterns in the car. Hispanic than white? It often “The court system, not me, daughters went through of criminal justice. justice until after college. “I became very involved comes down to economic sta- needs to be respected. That is school here. I think this is Before coming to WHS, “It’s interesting that you’re with all the latest in forensics tus. It’s a bigger question for why they stand for a judge; to very innovative, and I’m Vanasse served in the state starting to think about CJ at and forensic technique. Not our society. Why is that? show respect for a judicial happy to be involved,” he house as deputy director of this point in your life,” long after, DNA came out. I We’re in the middle of exam- system designed to be the said. safety and security. He has his Mastroianni said to the class. stayed involved and interest- ining that right now,” ultimate in fairness,” Regarding criminal justice bachelor’s and master’s Mastroianni then spoke ed in forensics,” Mastroianni Mastroianni said. Mastroianni said, adding, “I reform, he said, “So many degrees in Criminal Justice about being a judge and how said. “I’m very happy that crimi- stand when the jury enters things have changed just in and has served in federal, he sets bail, alternatives to He said it was his most nal justice reform has hap- and leaves the room out of state and local law enforce- cash bonds, minimum manda- interesting case because he pened in my lifetime,” he respect for the jury.” See Justice, Page 5 Carm’s Restaurant, Gateway Hilltowns Visitor Center to host grand opening By AMY PORTER station and mechanic shop. for a chat, or just grab some joe Ladder Scenic Byway, Staff Writer Led by the vision of new to go, said the owners. Historical Societies, Highlands CHESTER — After a soft owners Erin Patrick and Aaron Carm’s is the second Chester Footpath, and others looking to opening in December, Carm’s Allen, Historic Route 20’s restaurant for Patrick and share information with visitors Restaurant & Coffee Shop is President and Founder Bryan Allen, who also own the and residents. Additional ready to celebrate its formal Farr and Hilltown Economic Chester Common Table, a regional and state support for grand opening alongside the Development Director Jeanne community gathering place at more improvements and new Gateway Hilltowns Visitor LeClair, this project has 30 Main St. which serves farm upgraded facilities over the Center, both located in the his- brought together the best of fresh takes on comfort food next several months hope to toric building at 241 Route 20 Chester and the Hilltowns to classics. Chester Common make the Visitor Center a valu- in Chester. make a warm, welcoming Table also features local beers, able launch pad for outdoor The grand opening and rib- place for the community to quality wines, creative cock- recreation, small business, and bon-cutting will be held Jan. gather and a base camp for tails, and specials based on community-oriented economic 27, from 10 to 11 a.m., with like-minded organizations and what is growing in the neigh- development. regular open hours before and visitors to explore and appreci- borhood and their daily whims. after for breakfast and lunch. ate all that the area has to offer. The restaurant hosts live music The iconic location is recog- Carm’s Restaurant will be every Friday night from 6:30 to nized by locals and passers-by open seven days a week, from 9:30 p.m., and is the site for for the unique architectural 6:30 a.m. -3:30 .p.m, serving many special events in town. structure and distinctive breakfast, lunch, and coffee in The Visitor’s Center aims to Erin Patrick and Aaron Allen, new owners of Carm’s antique red horse logo sign a casual setting. All are wel- partner with other local organi- Restaurant in Chester, celebrating its Grand Opening Monday from its past as a Mobil Gas come to come in for a bite, stay zations such as the Jacob’s at 10 a.m. (Photo submitted) Rare historical images of Southwick to be presented By PETER CURRIER images are going to be a part a historian who has been tak- This photo of a Staff Writer of a new book to be released ing the lead to put together school bus from SOUTHWICK- The celebrating the town’s history the historical book for the Southwick Southwick Historical through pictures, according to Southwick 250. Hamberg, the Public Schools Society’s Lee Hamberg will Southwick Selectman and Archivist for the Historical in 1923. present a compilation of his- Celebrate Southwick 250 Society, will be the main pre- (Photo from torical images of the town Committee member Russell senter. Celebrate Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Town Fox. Fox said that the book in Southwick 250th) Hall in conjunction with the “Our hope is that, like most which the pictures will be celebrations of the Southwick of our events, we can make it published will be released 250. friendly for kids who are sometime in the late summer The presentation, titled looking to learn more about or early fall. It will likely be “Around Southwick II” will the history of the town as the before the actual date of the display some never-before 250th birthday approaches,” 250th anniversary of seen images depicting histori- said Fox. Southwick’s separation from cal Southwick. These new Fox described Hamberg as Westfield on Nov. 7. POWER YOUR FITNESS with Gigabit internet PAGE 2 - SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Gateway Gamers’ Night brings out players, spectators HUNTINGTON — Students at innovative, creative students who Gateway Regional got on the big meet weekly to discuss and learn screen in the auditorium Jan.