CAB DRIVER STABBED FOR $20

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) – A City Cab driver is in serious condition at Baystate Medical Center Friday after he was stabbed in the neck and shoulder shortly before 2:30 a.m. in the area of 112 Pinevale St., according to police. The victim, who has been described as a man in his 50s from West Springfield, was found unconscious on Oak Street, according to police, after he was allegedly robbed for $20. Police said they are investigating the armed robbery and two men and a women are thought to have been involved in the alleged attack.

20-MONTH-OLD CHILD FOUND WANDERING THROUGH DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) – Police are crediting a visiting nurse with saving the life of a 20-month-old girl found wandering alone through downtown Springfield around 8:30 a.m. Thursday. The nurse, Jeaneatte Oyola of Hampden County Home Care, spotted the girl about to cross a busy intersection, in what police have described as “sopping wet” pajamas, and rescued her and called 911, according to Springfield Police Department spokesman Sgt. John Delaney. He said police picked up the child on Main Street, but were unable to locate her parents and turned her over to the Department of Social Services. Delaney said the girl’s father came to the police station nearly two hours later to report his daughter was missing, and told police he fell in the shower and knocked himself out for hours. However, police said they were unable to determine any injury to the man’s head. DSS is holding the child while the case is investigated, according to Delaney.

FORMER GRANBY RESIDENT SENTENCED FOR INCEST CHARGES

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (abc40) -- A former Granby resident was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in state prison in Northampton Superior Court Thursday after being convicted of six counts of incest, which had taken place from April 1986 to July 1987. Paul Robillard, 62, had been living in Arkansas when the victim in the case came forward more than 20 years after the alleged crimes took place. The victim also alleged abuse had taken place since 1983; however, the statute of limitations prevented the commonwealth from prosecuting for those alleged offenses. Robillard’s attorney said he will appeal the decision, which went beyond normal sentencing guidelines.

PVTA RIDERSHIP INCREASES WITH COST OF FUEL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) -- Rising fuel prices have become both a blessing and a curse for the Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority, which has seen an increase in ridership of 120,000 people from January to March, according to the agency. The increase amounts to a two percent jump over the same period in 2007. However, the agency is currently paying $3.30 for diesel fuel compared to $1.77 in 2007, according to the authority, which may lead to an increase in fares. The increase in fuel costs has also taken up a higher percentage of the authority’s $35 million budget. According to AAA, a record-high price of diesel fuel for the Springfield area was set April 30 at $4.41 per gallon.

SPRINGFIELD FIRE LEAVES 7 HOMELESS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) -- The American Red Cross is being called in to assist seven people left homeless in the wake of a fire at 232 Orange St., which was reported around 11 a.m. Wendesday, according to Springfield Fire Department Spokesman Dennis Leger. He said the fire broke out in a wall on the third floor, and is thought to be electrical in origin. The fire resulted in an estimated $40,000 in damages, according to Leger, who said commercial space on the first floor of the building appears to have been vacant.

INGRAM NAMED NEW SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS CHIEF

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) -- The Springfield School Department will have a new superintendent when Joseph Burke leaves the position in June, as the city’s Finance Control Board and School Committee Tuesday gave their approval of Alan Ingram of Oklahoma for the job.

Ingram, who worked as the chief accountability officer for the Oklahoma City school system, was one of four finalists interviewed publicly for the position, and his selection is contingent on the successful negotiation of a contract, as well as verification of his resume and performance indicators in his contract.

Ingram said he intends to focus on student achievement when he takes over the superintendent position.