HOLYOKE, Mass. — A 17-year-old Amherst boy was found dead early Saturday morning in a wooded area off Route 202, less than a half-mile from the scene of a single-vehicle crash that investigators are calling "highly unusual."

Marcus Webb, a junior at Amherst Regional High School, was reported missing after the car he was driving left the roadway around 2:15 a.m. on May 8. The three other occupants of the vehicle, all Amherst students, were hospitalized with serious injuries. Webb was not at the scene.

A Young Life Cut Short

Webb was remembered by friends and family as a dedicated and gentle young man. A starting linebacker for the Amherst football team, he was known as much for his quiet kindness off the field as for his intensity on it. He regularly volunteered at the Amherst Survival Center soup kitchen and was an active member of the St. Brigid's Church community, where he helped organize blood drives and youth outreach programs.

"Marcus was the kind of kid who'd give you anything," said teammate Jason Miller, who spoke with Boston 25 News by phone. "Like, anything. He'd give you his last dollar. He didn't care. That's just how he was."

Miller, who was not in the vehicle the night of the crash, described Webb as "the heart of the team."

"He'd be the first one to practice and the last one to leave," Miller said. "He'd stay after to help the younger guys with their routes. He never made you feel stupid for asking. He just... he made everyone better."

On the evening of May 7, Webb helped his football team secure a 21-14 victory against Northampton High School, scoring the winning touchdown in the final minutes of a hard-fought game. Team photos from that night showed him celebrating with teammates, arms raised, smiling broadly. Hours later, he was gone.

Crash Scene 'Highly Unusual'

According to Holyoke Police, the 2023 Honda Civic was found approximately 30 feet off the roadway at the intersection of Route 202 and School Street, lodged against a large oak tree. The vehicle was facing northeast, perpendicular to the road, having left the roadway at roughly a 90-degree angle.

Investigators noted that the driver's side door had been ripped entirely from its hinges, found approximately 15 feet behind the vehicle. The damage is inconsistent with a typical collision. The vehicle's driver side airbags did not deploy as expected for the severity of impact, and no skid marks were present on the road.

A single, partial footprint was found near the driver's side door: size 15, smooth sole, no discernible tread. The print does not match any of the vehicle's occupants, who are believed to wear smaller sizes.

Body Found Pinned to Tree

A K-9 search led investigators to Webb's body approximately 450 yards east of the crash site. He was found upright, facing the direction of the road, pinned to an oak tree by a wooden object described as a "sharpened branch or sapling" driven through his chest.

Webb's body showed extensive defensive wounds on his forearms and hands, consistent with a struggle. The wooden spear was approximately six feet long, with the proximal end deliberately tapered and the distal end embedded approximately six inches into the tree.

Unlike a series of recent unsolved homicides in Northampton, there was no evidence of chest dissection, organ removal, or ritualistic mutilation. The cause of death appears to be penetrating trauma to the chest.

Toxicology Cleared, Investigation Continues

Police confirmed that toxicology reports for Webb and the three surviving passengers returned negative for alcohol and all common drugs. "There is no indication that impairment played any role in this incident," said Holyoke Police Captain Thomas Russo. "We are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or any unusual activity on Route 202 early Saturday morning to come forward."

Three passengers remain hospitalized. All are reportedly unconscious or sedated. Police have not released their names. No suspects have been identified.

Related: Northampton officer killed in domestic disturbance shooting

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — A 14-year veteran of the Northampton Police Department was shot and killed late Saturday night while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Denise Court.

Detective Marcus Cole, 47, was a respected member of the department's Major Crimes Unit. He leaves behind a wife and two children, ages 12 and 15. Cole had served the Northampton community since 2012, working his way up through patrol and narcotics before joining the detective bureau in 2018.

A Routine Call That Turned Deadly

Cole was in the area following up on an unrelated case when he heard the dispatch come over his radio shortly after 11:00 p.m. The call: a neighbor reporting a loud argument and sounds of a struggle at a residence on Denise Court.

According to department records, the call was classified as a standard domestic disturbance...the kind patrol officers respond to dozens of times a month. But Cole was only a few blocks away, and with the nearest patrol unit at least ten minutes out, he made the call to back them up.

"He didn't have to go," said Chief Reeves. "He was a detective. He could have had our boys and girls in blue do their job. But that wasn't who he was. He heard a call for help and he went in."

Cole arrived at the scene around 11:15 p.m. and was immediately met with gunfire from inside the residence. He was struck multiple times and pronounced dead at Cooley Dickinson Hospital at midnight. The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael DeMarco, was taken into custody after a brief standoff. No other injuries were reported.

A Man of the Community

Cole was known throughout Northampton not just as a detective, but as a familiar and beloved presence in the community. He coached youth baseball for seven years, was a regular at local coffee shops, and could often be found on weekends fishing the Mill River, a passion he shared with his son and anyone else who asked.

"He'd take anyone fishing," said longtime friend and fellow officer David Santos. "Didn't matter if you'd ever held a rod before. He'd loan you his gear, show you the spots, and just sit there talking or not talking. He had that gift of knowing exactly how to teach someone the rope of something they'd thought impossible to learn."

Cole was also known for his volunteer work with the Northampton Rotary Club, helping organize community clean-up events and fundraisers for local families in need. Colleagues say he rarely missed a chance to give back to the city he served.

"He helped my family when my husband passed," said Margaret Delaney, a longtime Northampton resident. "I don't think any other police officer would've done something like that. He just showed up at the door with food and sat with me for an hour. He was a good man."

A Career of Service

Cole was known throughout the department for his meticulous investigative work and his calm demeanor under pressure. He was the lead investigator on several high-profile cases over the years, including a 2019 drug trafficking operation that resulted in 14 arrests and the seizure of over $2 million in illicit assets.

More recently, Cole had been assigned to the 'Northampton Ritual Murders', a series of unsolved homicides in the city, though colleagues say he viewed his work through the lens of service to victims' families rather than personal recognition.

"He never wanted the spotlight," said fellow detective Sarah Chen. "He just wanted to do right for Northampton and the Valley. I am honoured to have been his partner."

Community Mourns

Flags at Northampton City Hall and the police station were lowered to half-staff Monday morning. A memorial has grown outside the police department on Center Street, with residents leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes. Among them, a fishing rod and a Cardinals baseball cap—a nod to Cole's two favorite pastimes.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. The department has requested privacy for Cole's family during this difficult time.

Investigation Continues

Denise Court remains closed between Main and Elm streets while the investigation continues. DeMarco is being held without bail pending arraignment on charges of murder and assault on a police officer. The motive remains under investigation, though police have stated there is no indication the incident was pre-planned or related to any of Cole's ongoing cases.

Related: Holyoke homicide investigation continues

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Domenic Sarno announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election after nearly two decades in office. In a social media post, Sarno wrote that it has been "an honor" to serve but that it is "time for new energy, new ideas, and new leadership."

Within hours of the announcement, Ward 3 Councilor Melvin Edwards formally declared his candidacy. Edwards, 41, is positioning himself as a reform candidate with a focus on economic development and public safety. He previously served on the School Committee and has been a vocal advocate for increased community policing initiatives.

"Springfield deserves a mayor who is fully invested in the future, not just managing the present," Edwards said in a statement. "I believe I am that candidate."

Sarno's Legacy, and Its Critics

While Sarno has been praised for stabilizing city finances and overseeing several major downtown development projects, his tenure has not been without criticism. Opponents have long pointed to what they describe as a lack of vision for the city's struggling neighborhoods, particularly in the North End and Forest Park areas, where infrastructure projects have consistently lagged behind those in more affluent parts of the city.

"The mayor has been coasting for the last decade," said longtime community activist Rosa Martinez. "He shows up for the ribbon cuttings, but when it comes to the hard work of actually fixing thing: the potholes, the schools, the vacant lots...there's always an excuse."

The 2013 Snow Removal Debacle

Perhaps the most infamous example of Sarno's administrative shortcomings came in February 2013, when a moderate snowstorm paralyzed the city for nearly a week after the Department of Public Works failed to properly pre-treat roads or coordinate plow routes. Hundreds of residents were stranded in their homes, emergency vehicles struggled to respond to calls, and the city's fleet of plows was revealed to be dangerously under-maintained, with several breaking down mid-storm.

The disaster, which the city later estimated cost nearly $2 million in overtime and emergency contracts, prompted a scathing audit from the state Inspector General's office. The audit found that the city had failed to conduct routine maintenance on its snow removal equipment and had no contingency plan for equipment failure. Sarno accepted responsibility at the time, calling it "a learning experience," but critics note that similar issues have arisen in smaller storms in the years since.

"That was his wake-up call, and he slept right through it," said former city councilor Timothy Allen. "We had a chance to modernize our infrastructure. Instead, we patched things up and hoped nobody would notice."

Downtown vs. Neighborhoods

Under Sarno's watch, downtown Springfield has seen a revival: new restaurants, the MGM Casino, and a renovated Union Station. But critics argue the mayor has neglected the residential neighborhoods that make up the city's core. A 2022 analysis by the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council found that per-capita infrastructure spending in the downtown area was nearly triple that of the city's residential wards.

"He built a beautiful downtown," said Councilor Edwards. "But the people of Springfield don't live downtown. They live in neighborhoods where the sidewalks are cracked, the streetlights don't work, and the schools are struggling. That's not leadership, that's neglect."

State Representative Carlos Gonzalez is also expected to announce his bid later this week. Gonzalez, a 10-year veteran of the legislature, has been meeting with potential donors and community leaders over the past month, according to sources close to his office.

A New Direction?

Edwards has already outlined several key priorities, including increased investment in neighborhood infrastructure, expanded after-school programs, and a review of the city's contracting practices. He has also pledged to complete the long-stalled improvements to the city's traffic signal system, a project that has been delayed for nearly a decade.

"We have a chance to start fresh," Edwards said. "Not just with new leadership, but with a new way of thinking about how we serve the people of this city."

The primary is set for September 15. The general election will follow in November. Sarno, 62, has held the office since 2007.

WESTFIELD, Mass. — In a region where violent crime has historically been rare, the past several weeks have seen an unsettling cluster of shootings and homicides across Western Massachusetts. The latest: a deadly armed robbery in Westfield that ended with a suspect shot and killed by police.

The incident unfolded around 10:45 p.m. Thursday outside Tavern Restaurant on Main Street. According to Westfield Police, two suspects attempted to rob a group of patrons as they were leaving the establishment. During the robbery, one suspect opened fire, striking 31-year-old Vanessa Ortiz of Springfield in the torso. Ortiz was transported to Baystate Medical Center, where she underwent surgery and is now listed in stable condition. Hospital officials say she is expected to make a full recovery.

The suspects fled the scene, triggering a police pursuit that ended approximately 45 minutes later in a residential area less than a mile away. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Riley Harris, exited the vehicle and refused to surrender. A standoff ensued, during which Harris reportedly brandished a firearm at responding officers. Officers fired, striking Harris multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A Region on Edge

Thursday's shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents that have rattled the normally quiet Pioneer Valley. In the past month alone, the region has seen the brutal unsolved homicides of a dentist and a school librarian in Northampton, the mysterious death of a teenage athlete in Holyoke, and now this armed robbery in Westfield.

"We are seeing a level of violence in this region that is deeply concerning," said Westfield Police Chief John B. Cuneo. "It's not just the numbers, it's the brazenness. These are not typical crimes for Western Massachusetts. We are doing everything in our power to understand what is driving this and to keep our communities safe."

A second suspect, who fled the scene on foot, remains at large. Police have released a description: a caucasian male of New-England complexion, approximately 5'10" to 6'0", clean-shaven, last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. No other details have been provided.

Investigation Continues

The Massachusetts State Police are assisting Westfield Police in the investigation. Ortiz, the surviving victim, is cooperating with investigators and is expected to provide additional details about the robbery as she continues to recover.

"We are continuing to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage," Chief Cuneo said. "We ask anyone with information about the second suspect to come forward."

In a statement, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said the officer-involved shooting is being reviewed in accordance with standard protocol. The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Related: Holyoke homicide investigation continues

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A new report from the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council shows a 3% uptick in retail foot traffic over the past week, driven largely by warmer weather and local events such as the Northampton Farmers' Market opening for the season.

The report, which tracks foot traffic across the region, notes that independent restaurants and boutique shops in Northampton, Amherst, and Easthampton are holding steady, though overall numbers remain down 12% from this time last year. Rural counties like Berkshire and Franklin continue to see steeper declines, with some towns reporting drops as high as 20%.

The Council attributes the modest improvement to what it calls "destination shopping"-people are still coming out, they're just being more selective about where they spend. The report also notes that online shopping continues to draw consumers away from brick-and-mortar stores, particularly among younger demographics.

"We're seeing a slow recovery," said Council spokesperson Judith Miller. "It's not where we want it to be, but it's moving in the right direction. But we have to be realistic—there are headwinds we can't control."

A Struggling Economy

Those headwinds are significant. Inflation has remained stubbornly high throughout 2026, with the consumer price index showing a 4.2% increase over the past year. Gas prices in Western Massachusetts have hovered around $3.80 per gallon for weeks, with some stations in Franklin County pushing $4.00. The rising cost of transportation has rippled through every sector, increasing the cost of goods from groceries to construction materials.

"When gas goes up, everything goes up," said Tom Ashworth, owner of Ashworth Hardware in Northampton. "My suppliers have raised prices three times this year. I've had to pass some of that on to customers, but I can only do so much. People are already stretched thin."

Economists point to a combination of factors: lingering supply chain disruptions, the lingering effects of federal spending during the pandemic, and trade policies enacted under the Trump administration that have driven up the cost of imported goods. The administration's renewed tariffs on steel and aluminum, imposed in early 2025, have hit manufacturing-dependent regions like Western Massachusetts particularly hard.

Local Families Feeling the Pinch

For many families in the Pioneer Valley, the economic pressure is compounded by personal sacrifice. Approximately 35 men from Western Massachusetts are currently deployed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, part of the carrier strike group operating in the Middle East as part of ongoing U.S. military operations in the region, a conflict that critics across the political spectrum have called "pointless" and "endless."

"My husband is on that ship," said Melissa Harmon of South Hadley. "He's been gone since January. I'm running a household by myself, trying to keep food on the table, and every time I fill up the tank it costs me twenty dollars more than it did last year. It's exhausting."

The Abraham Lincoln deployment has been a source of quiet anxiety across the region, with families waiting for news from a conflict that many say has no clear objective. "I support the troops, always," said John Ribeiro of West Springfield. "But I don't support sending them over there for nothing. We've been fighting in that region for twenty years and nobody can tell me what we've accomplished."

Looking Ahead

Despite the challenges, some local business owners remain cautiously optimistic. The summer tourist season is approaching, and events like the Three County Fair in Northampton and the Big E in West Springfield are expected to draw visitors from across New England. But whether those visitors will open their wallets remains to be seen.

"People want to get out," said Parker. "They want to enjoy themselves. But they're also scared about money. It's a tough balance."

The Council's report concludes with a call for more targeted investment in small businesses, particularly in rural communities where the economic recovery has been slowest. "We need to be thinking about how we support the people who are keeping our communities alive," Miller said. "We can't just wait for things to get better."

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — A 19-year-old Easthampton man, Tyler Cross, was arrested yesterday evening in connection with a break-in at Raven Used Books on Main Street.

According to police, Cross was found with items from the store in his possession during a routine traffic stop. The items included several rare books and store property. Cross has been charged with breaking and entering, malicious destruction of property, and larceny. He is being held on $1,350 bail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

A Troubled Past

Cross is no stranger to the Northampton court system. A student at Northampton High School, he was held back a year after a series of disciplinary incidents that school officials described as "insubordination" and "refusal to comply with school policies." He was set to graduate this summer but is reportedly being considered for explusion should this recent case cause him a felony charge.

In April, Cross was arrested for defacing the grave of Vanessa Hatvan, the Northampton High School librarian who was found murdered on school grounds just days earlier. Police confirmed that Cross had spray-painted profanity on Hatvan's headstone and had been seen near the cemetery late at night. He was released with community service after the district attorney's office declined to pursue felony charges. The DA's office noted at the time that Cross had a documented history of conflict with the librarian, who had been instrumental in Cross losing a scholarship opportunity due to what she described as "chronic academic dishonesty."

"The decision was made with the understanding that Mr. Cross was acting out of grief and frustration, and that further legal action would only compound the harm," said a spokesperson for the Northwestern District Attorney's office. "We felt that community service and counseling were the appropriate response."

In a brief statement to Boston 25 News, Cross's family declined to comment on the latest charges. "We are asking for privacy at this time," a family representative said.

Community Reaction

Store owner Diane Parker, who was shaken by the incident, said she is relieved an arrest has been made. "It's been a stressful week," she said. "I'm just grateful no one was hurt. I've known Tyler since he was a kid. He's had a tough time, but that doesn't make it right."

This is the third break-in at a Northampton business in the last two weeks, though police have not indicated whether the incidents are connected. Raven Used Books has been a fixture on Main Street for over thirty years, and Parker says she hopes the arrest will deter further incidents.

"We're a small community," she said. "We look out for each other. But we also have to hold people accountable."

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Robert Kaczmarek, 47, was arraigned this morning on six counts of felony child endangerment. Police allege he was operating an unlicensed childcare operation from his home for nearly five years.

According to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, at least seven children were being cared for at the home on a regular basis. Kaczmarek does not have any prior criminal record. The investigation began after a parent raised concerns about conditions at the residence, including overcrowding and a lack of proper safety equipment.

An American Story, Complicated

Kaczmarek is a naturalized U.S. citizen, having moved to the United States from Poznań, Poland, twenty years ago to work in the IT sector. He was employed for over a decade at Berkshire Technical Solutions, a medium-sized IT firm in Pittsfield, before being laid off in 2021 during a round of corporate downsizing.

After losing his job, Kaczmarek began caring for a neighbor's children as a favor. Word spread, and within a year, he was watching several children daily while their parents worked. The operation was never registered with the state, and Kaczmarek did not hold the required childcare license, a fact he has acknowledged to investigators.

"He wasn't trying to make a fortune," said neighbor and longtime friend Anna Kowalski. "He was trying to help people. We all knew he was doing it. Nobody complained because he was good with the kids and we trusted him. He charged barely enough to cover food and supplies."

A Call for Deportation and Pushback

State Representative William Carver (R-Lenox), a vocal supporter of strict immigration enforcement, has called for Kaczmarek to be deported, despite his naturalized status. "This man is operating outside the law, endangering children, and taking advantage of working families," Carver said in a statement. "He should be removed from this country."

Carver's remarks have drawn sharp criticism from local officials and community leaders, who point out that Kaczmarek is a legal citizen and that his only alleged crime is operating an unlicensed daycare. "This is a regulatory matter, not an immigration matter," said Pittsfield City Councilor Karen Johnson. "Calling for deportation in a case like this is inflammatory and unhelpful. It's fear-mongering."

Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler echoed those sentiments, telling Boston 25 News: "This is a local issue. There is no federal case here. Mr. Kaczmarek is a citizen, and we will address this matter through the appropriate legal channels. There is absolutely no discussion of involvement by federal immigration authorities."

A Community Divided

Several of the families who relied on Kaczmarek for childcare have come to his defense, describing him as a dedicated caregiver who simply failed to navigate the state's licensing process. "He helped me keep my job," said one mother who asked not to be identified. "I don't know what I would have done without him. He's not a criminal. He's just a guy who got lost in the paperwork."

The Department of Early Education and Care has intervened and placed the seven children involved with relatives or foster care pending the outcome of the investigation. Kaczmarek was released on personal recognizance pending a pre-trial hearing scheduled for next month. He has not entered a plea.

"We take these matters very seriously," said a spokesperson for the DA's office. "The safety of children is paramount. However, we also recognize that Mr. Kaczmarek has lived in this community for two decades, has no criminal record, and was acting in what he believed to be the best interests of the families he served. We will pursue a resolution that is fair and appropriate."

As of this publication, no federal authorities have become involved in the case, and local officials have made it clear they intend to keep it that way.