2.) Employees of Gormally Broadcasting LLC, WGGB-TV, and any other company which owns or programs television broadcast station WGGB-TV (the “Station”), WGGB-DT2, Big Y Foods, Inc. (the “Sponsor”) and any other company sponsoring the contest, local television stations, cable stations, radio stations, or any other media companies, their affiliated companies, licensees, advertising and promotion agencies, and the immediate family members of each are ineligible. The term “immediate families” includes spouses, grandparents, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren. Only one winner per household.

How to Enter
a.) No purchase is necessary to enter. Only one entry per household. No mechanically reproduced or completed entries will be accepted. All duplicate entries will be disqualified.

b.) To enter, pick up an entry form at any Western Massachusetts Big Y World Class Market location. Entry forms are also available online to print out at www.wggb.com and www.bigy.com. Mail the completed form to: ABC40 / Big Y Backyard BBQ, 1300 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Entries must be submitted by mail, no online entries will be accepted.

c.) The Contest starts on May 23, 2013, and all entries must be received by the Station by 5:00p.m. on August 14, 2013. Each Monday, beginning May 27, 2013, for twelve (12) weeks, one winner will be randomly selected from among valid entries. Winners are subject to further review and approval by the Station and Sponsor based on technical requirements and geographic location. Winners will be contacted by phone. A live microwave signal must be tested from the location and the signal must be of airable quality before the winner can be confirmed by the Station.

d.) Station is not responsible for lost, late, or misdirected mail, or for printing errors.

e.) All entries received that are mutilated, tampered with, illegible, or from ineligible entrants will be void. All entries become the property of Gormally Broadcasting LLC and the Station and Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

f.) One or more contests may be announced from time to time. More than one contest may run simultaneously, but entries will only be solicited for one contest at a time.

The Prize(s)
1.) Each weekly winner will receive a BBQ to serve ten (10) people, including food, non-alcoholic beverages, condiments, and paper products,. The approximate value of each prize is $200.00. The BBQs will take place each Thursday, from June 13, 2013 through September 5, 2013 (no bbq on July 4th). The Station’s talent and Sponsor’s personalities will conduct the BBQ during the Station’s 5:00pm, 5:30pm, and 6:00pm newscasts. A Big Y banner must be hung on location where it is visible during the broadcast. Winners must have a BBQ on one of the available broadcast dates as determined by Station and Sponsor. If the winner cannot agree to one of the available dates, then the prize will be forfeited and another winner will be selected, time permitting. No alternate prize of any kind will be awarded. The Station has the right to cancel the BBQ in the event of severe weather, breaking news, or technical problems and will use reasonable efforts to reschedule contingent upon the Station’s schedule. If the BBQ cannot be rescheduled to fit within the Station’s broadcast schedule, no alternate prize of any kind will be awarded.

2.) The winners will be notified by phone. Before claiming prizes, winners must provide their correct name, address and telephone number to Station at the time of notification. Winners must sign and return a release and affidavit of eligibility, which must be received within 5 days of notification. Winners must show picture identification to claim prizes. Station reserves the right to examine additional identification and may choose to accept or deny awarding the prize based on the identification presented.

3.) If a winner cannot be notified within 5 days, does not return the affidavit of eligibility within 5 days, or take possession of their prize within 5 days, then the prize will remain the property of the Station.

4.) There will be no substitutions or cash alternatives for prizes except at the sole discretion of Station. The Station has the right to substitute a prize of similar value. No transfer, sale or assignment of prizes is allowed.

5.) The winners are responsible for paying all local, county, state and federal taxes on prizes based on the estimated retail value of the prizes set forth in these rules.

6.) Regardless of the number of contests entered, entrants are eligible to win only one (1) prize within any thirty (30) day period.

7.) WGGB-TV and Gormally Broadcasting LLC are not liable if the provider of any part of the prize fails to satisfy its obligations to furnish its portion of the prize.

8.) WGGB-TV and Gormally Broadcasting LLC and Big Y Foods, Inc. are not responsible for any liabilities arising directly or indirectly from the award or use of the prize.

9.) In claiming your prize, you acknowledge that WGGB-TV, Gormally Broadcasting LLC and Big Y Foods, Inc., have the right to publicize your name, character, likeness, photograph, voice and the fact that you’re the winner for promotional purposes without financial remuneration.

Odds of Winning/Miscellaneous
1.) Odds of winning depend on the number of correct entries received and location.

2.) Complete contest rules are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours at WGGB-TV, 1300 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA, 01104 and on the Station’s website at www.wggb.com.

3.) For a list of prizewinners, send a separate self-addressed, stamped envelope to WGGB-TV, 1300 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA, 01104 by September 6, 2013.

4.) This contest is subject to all applicable laws and by regulations and is void where prohibited. Gormally Broadcasting LLC, WGGB-TV and Big Y Foods, Inc. accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any injuries, losses or damages of any kind caused by or resulting from the acceptance, possession or use of any prize awarded hereunder.

5.) Station cannot be held liable for any lost or stolen entries, prizes or contest information.

6.) Station reserves the right to make rules and contest changes and change the aforementioned contest dates.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) – The clouds are breaking apart giving way to some hazy sunshine this afternoon. However the sun will add fuel to the fire leading to showers and storms this afternoon. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 10 pm. 

Thunderstorms are firing up across eastern New York and it looks as though they will make their way into western Mass later this afternoon. The best chance of seeing some of theses storms will be between 2-8 pm.  First across the Berkshires then into the valley.

A couple of storms could be strong to severe with damaging winds, and large hail. Any storm could be accompanied with torrential rains as well. Be sure to take it end doors if you see storm clouds rolling in. 

Here is a reminder as to what makes a thunderstorm severe:

- Winds great than 58 mph.

- Hail larger than 1″ in diameter

- If a thnderstorm drops a tornado

Dan Brown

(WGGB) — ABC40 and the American Medical Response have teamed up at our studios for the AMR World CPR Challenge, to teach as many people as possible how to save a life.

Today’s hands on experience will help you to identify the signs of an individual in cardiac arrest, while learning how to respond to the situation by using chest compression-only CPR.

Come on down to our studios here at 1300 Liberty St. in Springfield for a free CPR training lesson from 6:30am to 6:30pm.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — A tornado warning issued earlier for Berkshire County has expired.

For a few hours Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service had issued a warning until 6:00 p.m. for the Berkshires, but that advisory has since expired.

The chance of severe weather still exists, however,

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning remains for Berkshire County until 7:00 p.m., while a Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties until 9:00 p.m.

If you see ominous weather conditions approaching, you are advised to seek shelter.

As always, you can visit our weather page for the latest information and an interactive radar.

Stay with ABC40, on-air and onlne, for the latest on this developing weather situation.

SPRINGFEILD, Mass. (WGGB) –Facebook and Twitter users are getting younger and younger.

That’s exactly why students like Agawam High School Junior Kraeg Sheehan got involved the Youth Development Task Force. “My sister, who’s in 4th grade has social media things where she can chat with friends. I didn’t have any of those things when I was in 4^th and 5th grade. Just seeing that children nowadays do have this communication, it’s kind of scary, just, you don’t know what’s out there,” he said.

At Springfield’s Mass Mutual Center, Hampden County District attorney Mark Mastroianni held the meeting. The task force is a part of his Community Based Juvenile Justice Program.

The force is made up of high school students from all 4 counties who advise the DA’s office on issues that are important to them.

While internet safety is the presentation’s main focus, they also tackle truancy and abuse prevention.

Teens say they’re happy to spread the word to middle school students who are more likely to open up to them than adults. “I think the relationship we’ve built with them is important because we do know more and we’ve spoken to the adults, but we’re still kids. We can relate to them. It wasn’t that long ago that we were in the same position,” said Cathedral High School Junior Rachael Mahoney. “I think it’s really cool that we’re recognized for what we do because it makes me feel like I’m making a difference in the community,” Sheehan added.

“They’re just all success stories. They’re a great group of kids and our district is full of kids like this, and we want to highlight that,” DA Mastroianni smiled.

Both Sheehan and Mahoney say they love it so much, they’ll continue mentoring during their senior year

In January, a state task force was started in Boston.

Though still in its infancy, the Hampden DA’s office is involved as a representative.

Williams is calling for area leaders to discuss it with the Subcommittee for Planning and Development.

Using information from the 2010 census, the University of Michigan found that out of the entire U.S., Springfield came in at number one for Latino-White segregation.

In other words, the two groups rarely live in the same neighborhoods.  “It’s a matter of perception. Minorities are perceived as not being able to live in a neighborhood that is more affluent, and I believe also that people feel uncomfortable and not feel welcome,” said Ivette Cruz, President and CEO of Springfield’s Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

Cities like Holyoke, included in the Springfield metro area, also exemplify the study’s findings. Both Cruz and Williams feel that opening the conversation will at least start to get things moving in the right direction. “I have a lot of hope that we’ll have this great impact with the casinos that there’s going to be more money coming into the community. Instead of being a city where people will be going out, now it’s going to become a destination,” Cruz shared.

Williams also attributes segregation to the school system and crime, and says that building so many group homes along with low income housing, without leaving room for a mix are also factors.

L.A., New York, Providence, and Boston round out the top 5 for Latino-White segregation.

Milwaukee, WI ranks number 1 for black-white segregation.

Crews Dig Through Night After Deadly Okla. Twister

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.

Officials say at least 51 people were killed in Monday’s twister, including at least 20 children. Those numbers were expected to climb.

The center of the devastation is in Moore, a community of 41,000 people 10 miles south of Oklahoma City.

More than 120 people were being treated at hospitals, including about 50 children. Amy Elliott, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office, said Tuesday that there could be as many as 40 more fatalities from Monday’s tornado.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) –Instead of a bustling morning commute on Metro-North’s New Haven line, the Metropolitan Transit Authority spent the day working to repair the tracks.

Over 70 people were injured Friday after an eastbound train out of New York City derailed in Bridgeport, Conn., and another heading west hit it.

The accident caused Amtrak to suspend their service between Boston and New York indefinitely, since they both use the same tracks.

“There’s nothing operating into New York City at this point, so the Springfield shuttle is operating within the confines of Springfield and Connecticut right now,” said Amtrak Spokesperson Cliff Cole.

People are turning to Peter Pan to get down past New Haven and into New York. The demand is so high, that no bus driver on the entire east coast is taking a day off.

“I’m trying to get back home, it’s really, really hard to get back home. I always take Amtrak from Metro Park to Springfield, it’s really, really easy, but this time…I’ve actually been stuck for 3 days,” New Jersey native Lauren Joyce said.

“The incident Friday resulted in us and Greyhound putting a substantial amount of extra service on board; about 150 more coaches over the weekend and through the week, especially the New Haven/New York corridor, which is running really heavy,” said Chris Crean, VP of Safety & Security for Peter Pan Bus Lines.

At this point, riders aren’t even concerned about possible traffic delays.

“I don’t know. I think the best service is here, and it’s efficient, so, I’m not really that worried,” Fortunate Chifamba stated. 

“If it happens, it happens, whatever, I’m on my way home,” added Joyce, who, like many other commuters are just waiting for service to be returned to normal.

Crean says over than 6,000 riders have taken Peter Pan and Greyhound since Friday’s accident.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — If you get your pupils dilated, instead of getting reversal drops that help you regain your normal sight a little quicker, you might have to just wait it out.

That’s what Dr. Phillip Moraitis says his patients are now choosing to do.

Since tainted injections from the Framingham-based New England Compounding Center lead to the death of 53 people last fall, state officials passed a law in November stating that health providers can’t buy medicine in bulk orders from compounding pharmacies for stock use.

“In the past, what we would do is order the reversal drops, and then we could give them to patients on an as needed basis. Now the reversal drops need an individual prescription that we would have to submit to a pharmacy, and order the medication specifically for that one patient,” said Dr. Moraitis.

In fact, ordering reversal drops would cost at least $43 more per person, which, in some cases, adds up to cost more than the exam itself.

However, compounding centers are the only places you can get the drops.

Dr. Moraitis says that even though the laws were made meant to protect people in the wake of a tragedy, he does think they’ll be let up soon.

“Naturally in this situation, you want to take a step back and say, ‘is everything safe?’ and little by little, incrementally, you can say, well, maybe it would be safe for the drops to be reinstated. That’s the feeling the Academy of Ophthalmology has.”

Dr. Moraitis says that none of his patients have asked to order the reversal drops just yet.

Sixteen other states, including Rhode Island, Maine, and New York have adopted a similar law.

In fact, two months ago, Governor Deval Patrick signed this proclamation making May Drowning Awareness Month, noting that it’s the leading cause of accidental death in children. “Always make sure your child is supervised at all times. We can’t stress that enough. Children are very quick, they can easily fall into the pool,” said Diane Hieronyus, Assistant Store manager at Chicopee’s Teddy Bear Pools & Spas.

Hieronyous adds that state law mandates that homeowners have a latch, gate, and alarm for their pools.

Last year, a Boston man invented a headband sensor that would sound an alarm after it’s been submerged for 30 seconds. Another device installed in the pool would sound an alarm as soon as someone jumps in. Still, folks say that nothing can take the place of vigilance. “I don’t think we need it. If you’re right there, and we’ve had kids fall over the side. But we’re right there,” Sandra Helliwell stated.

We taught our grandkids to swim as early as humanly possible, and now their water bugs, but we still watch them,” Peter Helliwell added.

It’s also recommended that homeowners keep rescue and first aid equipment near their pools.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 137 children under the age of 15 drowned in a pool or spa last year.

(AP Photo/The Connecticut Post, Christian Abraham)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — The transit agency that runs the Metro-North commuter rail line says trains damaged in a Friday crash are being removed in the first step to making repairs and restoring service.

Aaron Donovan, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the trains will be removed Sunday. The National Transportation Safety Board, which has been investigating, gave Metro-North the OK to remove the trains.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation will announce jointly with Metro-North on Sunday a plan for the rush-hour commute beginning Monday.

Investigators are looking at a broken section of rail to see if it is connected to the derailment and collision outside Bridgeport that left dozens injured.

Seventy-two people were sent to the hospital Friday evening after an eastbound train from New York City derailed and was hit by a westbound train.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/AP) — The winning combination of numbers have been drawn for the largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history.

The winning numbers are: 10 – 13 – 14 – 22 – 52, Powerball: 11

Saturday night’s estimated jackpot is $600 million. The cash option on the prize is an estimated $376.9 million.

Mass. Lottery officials say that after witholdings, a Mass. winner would receive a lump sum of $263.8 million.

The odds of winning the game’s largest jackpot remain astronomically low: 1 in 175.2 million.

But since about 80 percent of the possible combinations were been purchased, lottery officials say it’s likely the winning ticket could be selected.

As of Saturday afternoon, Mass. Lottery spokesperson Beth Bresnahan says that tickets in Massachusetts were selling at a rate of 3,900 tickets, or $7,800, a minute. Nationally, that rate was about $362,100 a minute.

The latest jackpot is the world’s second largest overall, just behind a $656 million Mega Millions jackpot in March 2012.

If no winner is chosen from Saturday’s drawing, the top prize will jump to about $925 million.

Powerball is played in 42 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Information from Barbara Rodriguez of the Associated Press was used in this report.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and other Connecticut officials will also participate in the tour, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EDT Saturday near Bridgeport. The delegation will update journalists with the latest details of the crash after surveying the area.

Three people remain in critical condition following the rush-hour crash Friday between two commuter trains that serve the northern suburbs of New York City.

The jackpot is up to $190 million.

The Powerball jackpot is up to $600 million dollars. That drawing will be Saturday night.

BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WGGB) –For Ellen Campbell, increased security reminds her of the atmosphere at Quabbin Reservoir right after September 11th, 2001. “I live just a couple streets over, and we used to be able to just drive over the dam, and so we heard the planes at night, and that was a scary time, so I’d hate to think we’d have to worry again,” she shared.

Officials frequently circled the park Wednesday.

This, after state police gave 5 men and 2 women claiming to be chemical engineering students summons for trespassing early Tuesday morning.

State police made it clear there’s no evidence of terrorism, or any other criminal activity.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation maintains that they already keep a close eye over the area. Several people come to Quabbin to take in the picturesque views, or just enjoy the park. People who frequent the area say the increased patrols give them piece of mind. “Absolutely. It’s something that they have to do. Unfortunately, today, they really have to do that,” Shelley Garrow expressed. “There’s so much water here, to get a concentration of water that’s high enough would be very difficult. The chances to me would seem quite slim, but of course, you still want to exercise the best precaution you can,” said Belchertown native and Hydro geologist Alan Weiss.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority issued this statement Wednesday saying, quote, “As an extra precaution, water quality samples were analyzed at MWRA’s lab yesterday, and all came back normal.  There is no evidence of any water quality issues at the Quabbin Reservoir following the incident”

State police are still investigating, and not commenting on the matter. Quabbin provides drinking water for Chicopee, Wilbraham, South Hadley, and the Boston metro area.

AMHERST, Mass. (WGGB) –The cold weather is hanging on longer than usual this spring. More than just a pest, freezing could actually do some real damage to your garden. “When the frost comes in, it’ll settle on the plants and then when the sun starts to rise, the sun will burn the leaves of the plant, it magnifies the water on the leaves, and that’s how the frost damages the plant,” said Aitkin’s Farms plant manager, Rebecca Pease.

She says it’s been a long time since she’s seen it present such a problem.

Over the past couple of nights, freeze warnings have been in effect for Hampden and Hampshire counties, with temperatures dipping below 30 degrees, enough to kill any delicate plants.

To protect the ones at the farm, Rebecca says they cover them with a sheet or overhang. If you have apples, spinach, or lettuce growing outside, you don’t have to worry about those because they survive in colder weather. Some folks got the green thumb a little early, and couldn’t wait to plant some more sensitive crops. “Our plums are in, our pears are in, our cherries are in. I’m a little worried. I was a little shocked this morning when I heard that it was going to get cold. I’ll go out there today, I’ll take a look,” Lisa Hagar shared.

Not to worry, there are some steps you can take to save your plants. “If they’ve planted container gardens, bring your container gardens inside, put them in your garage or under an overhang so the frost can’t settle in them,” Pease advises.

However, Hagar, a self-proclaimed polar bear, wants the cold to stay even longer. “It’ll be 80 degrees on Wednesday, and all of those warm people will be happy, and I will be crying softly in my air conditioning,” she laughed.

Rebecca says it should be safe to start planting after Memorial Day.

MOBILE USERS: CLICK HERE for live video

WASHINGTON (WGGB/AP) — Former Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman says failures by national security agencies tainted investigations into the Boston bombing plotters — and says the scheme could have been discovered beforehand.

Lieberman testified Thursday at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on the attacks. He says it would hard, but not impossible, for law enforcement to uncover the Tsarnaev brothers’ plot before they set off two blasts that killed four people and injured more than 100 people last month.

Lieberman says that the failure to communicate vital information between agencies was a major flaw in government oversight.

The former lawmaker acknowledges the blizzard of information confronting national security agencies. He says officials often struggle to, quote, “separate the wheat from the chaff” in pinpointing threats.

You can watch the hearing live on wggb.com.

Information from Stephen Braun of the Associated Press was used in this report.

MYSTIC, Conn. (WGGB) — Located nestled in the southeastern corner of Connecticut is the small village of Mystic.

Steeped in old New England charm, from a world-class aquarium, to a trip back in time by way of some sailing vessels, Mystic has a little something for everyone.

Join us as we head down to the Connecticut shoreline this week for a great family trip you can do on just a tank of gas.

ABC40 Road Trip: Mystic, Connecticut – Thursday starting at 5:00 p.m. on ABC40.

BOSTON (AP) — Federal investigators have formally released the Boston Marathon finish line bombing crime scene to the city.

A brief ceremony at 5 p.m. Monday on Boylston Street was attended by state and federal officials. It included presentation of the U.S. flag that flew over the finish line to Mayor Thomas Menino.

It means the city can begin preparing to reopen the reopen the six-block area that was cordoned off as a crime scene after twin bombs killed three people and wounded more than 200 others a week ago.

A five-step process announced Sunday will include environmental testing, debris removal and assessing the safety of buildings in the area.

Investigators have been painstakingly collecting evidence at the scene since the attack. Boston police said they are prepared to begin releasing personal property that isn’t needed as evidence.

Thousands of Marijuana enthusiasts lighting up in plain sight, even though it’s illegal. “It’s public acts of civil disobedience, it is decriminalized here in Massachusetts, but what it is a civil infraction here. We work really closely with the police and the town. The police’s main purpose here is keeping the people of Amherst safe,” said Patrick Mund, treasurer of the UMass Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition.

The coalition started the event in 1991 as an on campus demonstration.  Although people were arrested, that didn’t stop them from coming back out year after year until finally the group came to an agreement with the police that there would be no more arrests.

With the majority of Mass voters approving ballot question #3 in November, folks at Extravaganja hope legalizing medical marijuana will legalize it across the board. “Absolutely. Save a lot of money with all these people in jail for marijuana. You know, it’s nothing like these other crimes,” Art Laramee stated. “I would like to see medical marijuana as widely available to patients as possible until we legalize it. We believe it is a step on the path,” said Matt Sonnichsen, President of the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition.

Public hearings on guidelines for medical marijuana were held on Friday in Northampton, and were supposed to be held then in Boston as well.

Due to the manhunt, those hearings are postponed until Monday.