Cyberbullies Beware

 APD officers Matt Frydrk (left) Marcus Humber (center)

The Amherst Police Department let it be known to a crowd of perhaps 30 last night at an Amherst Regional High School presentation that they take very seriously the issue of cyberbullying among our youth. 

Problem is of course it's hard to prove when the line between First Amendment run-of-the-mill child bickering crosses over into criminal territory.  Officers did admit that they have over the past five or six years investigated 6 or 7 cases, but they "didn't go anywhere."

But I'm fairly sure that the kid who had a uniformed officer questioning them about inappropriate behavior with a peer probably thought twice about repeating that inappropriate behavior. 

The problem with bullying of the cyber kind is it no longer requires geographic proximity.  The all powerful Internet is always on, and when a child wakes up in the morning that nasty remark is right there in their face.

Officers suggested (although my child seemed to be the only youngster in attendance) that you not engage with the bully because that is exactly what they want.  Take a screen shot or print out the nasty remark, and when it happens three times, that shows a pattern.  Report it to school authorities and/or the police.

In fact, after the terrible tragedy in South Hadley the State passed a law requiring schools to report incidents of bullying to the local police department; and APD will even take those complaints via an online reporting system that goes directly to Detective Dave Foster.

It also helps of course if parents/guardians demonstrate a little oversight on what websites their child visits and how much time they spend on the Internet.

DUI Dishonor Role

 The rate of drunk driving is highest among 21 to 25 year olds (23.4 percent)

Pretty much back to "normal" with Amherst Police arresting three (alleged) drunk drivers over the weekend: Travis A Thomspon, Katherine K Mullane,  and Alexander J McCarthy , all of them age 22.  And two-out-three of them UMass students.

Amherst: Pickup Truck vs Cyclist

 Pickup truck alongside ambulance pointing eastbound towards Amherst center

A pickup truck heading east on Rt 9 collided with a 20-year-old cyclist (UMass student) at the intersection of University Drive and Snell Street around 7:29 this evening.

The victim was transported by AFD to Baystate Critical Care Unit in Springfield by ambulance with 3 first responders on board.  She had serious injuries but is expected to survive.

 Two Hadley cruisers assist Amherst police at Snell/University Dr/Rt9 intersection

At one point six cruisers (Amherst and Hadley) were on the scene with an AFD ambulance and Fire Engine.  Mass State Police accident reconstruction team was called in and were still on the scene at 10:20 PM.

Amherst towing was en route to transport both the pick up truck and crumpled bicycle.

Another cyclist was also at the scene at the time of the accident with the victim, but was not involved or injured. 

Other bike at the scene, but not involved in accident

Winterfest Fun

Maybe it was the subfreezing conditions, or a lack of major marketing, or just a normal 7th year slump -- but this year's attendence for Winterfest at the Cherry Hill Golf Course in far flung North Amherst definitely seemed a tad muted. 

 

Cardboard Classic race 

 Although, the hundreds who did brave the weather enjoyed the family oriented entertainment.

 

Final run of Cardboard Classic included a dog in the box

Carol Hepburn cooking hot dogs & burgers (yes, they had veggie burgers)

Winner of the very first Cardboard Classic 2008

Look! Up In The Air! Black Hawks!

Smoke marks the spot for Barnes Air National Guard Blackhawk to set down

Amherst Fire Department practiced an emergency hand off of potential patients to a pair of Blackhawk helicopters from Barnes Air National Guard Base stationed in Westfield.  

 Almost down

A Black Hawk is a tad better equipped to fly in inclement weather, so if the usual Lifeflight unit out of Worcester Medical couldn't fly, these helicopters could be a lifesaver.  They are also far larger and can handle up to 6 patients, which is 5 more than Lifeflight.

The Black Hawks are also equipped with a winch system which would allow for extrication of a patient from rough terrain such as The Notch, or a Hampshire College roof.

Kicking up a snowstorm

Touchdown!

Hand off complete

Pregame huddle

Downtown Shuffle

Now even easier to spot:  Antonio's new sign

Moti Restaurant will be leaving its prime 25 North Pleasant Street downtown location (next to Antonio's)  June 1st to combine operations with Club Lit, a sister business located behind the row of downtown storefronts in the (41) Boltwood Walk Parking Garage plaza.

Meanwhile just around the corner, behind Bart's Ice Cream, Pita Pockets has opened in the former Captain Candy location.  The Captain relocated to Thorns Market in Northampton.

At last week's Select Board meeting while issuing a "Common Victuallar" license for Pita Pockets, the Town Manager noted how building owner Barry Roberts was very pleased with the speed and efficiency of the Amherst Building Department in getting Pita Pockets inspected and permitted for operation.

Pita Pockets, 103 North Pleasant Street



Antonio's with ye old sign

You Can Always Go ... Downtown!

Follow Friday is a perfect day to check in on the goings on in beautiful downtown Amherst.  But you may not want to do it by car as the entire apron in front of Central Fire Station is a construction nightmare.

A coupling in the main water pipe broke so the DPW is in "all hands on deck" mode to get it fixed.

AFD has moved all personnel and the equipment (except for one Engine) up to North Station.  Which is fine getting to UMass next door, but not so hot getting to deep South Amherst.

UPDATE 8:00 PM  AFD "Back in quarters"

 Meanwhile directly across from the Central Station, Stacker's Pub is gearing up

 

Dead in the center of town (probably not delivering to Town Hall)