State Gets $44.8M in Federal Funds for Disaster Repairs

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Western Massachusetts is getting some $44.8 million in federal funds for road and bridge repairs related to Hurrican Irene and the tornados that tore through the Springfield area.

The funds come from some $1.6 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation being dispersed to states and territories affected by natural disasters this year.

Vermont, also hard hit by Hurricane Irene, will receive $125.6 million; North Dakota will receive $89.1 million for the Devils Lake Basin for damage caused by Spring 2011 runoff; and Iowa will receive $37.5 million to repair damage caused by the May 2011 Missouri River flooding.

June 1, 2011
Severe Thunderstorms and Tornado                          $4,002,908


Aug. 26, 2011
Hurricane Irene           $40,747,088
"Communities from coast to coast are still recovering from disasters that have affected the roads they use, their homes and businesses," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The Obama administration stands ready to provide emergency relief and reimburse these communities for the work that has been done to restore their critical transportation needs."

Funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program was provided by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012. FHWA will provide a total of $1.58 billion to 30 states, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and federal land management agencies to reimburse them for repairs to roads and bridges caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes and other natural and catastrophic disasters.

Tags: Irene,   roadwork,   tornados,   

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Berkshire Reign's 1791 Classic Gets Underway

By Ben McDonoughiBerkshires.com Sports
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- The Berkshire Reign White 14-and-under baseball team opened the 1791 Classic with a 13-4, come-from-behind win over Rip City in a game shortened to five innings by the tournament's time limit.
 
The Reign got a triple and four runs batted in from Fernando Vasconcelos and a triple from Ryder Raifstanger in the win.
 
After trailing, 4-3, after three innings, the Reign took the lead with a three-run fourth and broke the game open with a seven-run fifth.
 
Rip City struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. After a leadoff single from Jeremiah Bullett and a walk to Ryder Froio, a wild throw allowed Froio to advance and eventually come around to score. Sebastian Ricchi followed with an infield single, giving Rip City an early advantage.
 
Berkshire answered in the second. After Raifstanger's triple put a runner in scoring position, a wild pitch brought him home to tie the game. Mikey Ireland later singled and moved a runner to third before Shayne Clairmont grounded out to bring another run home, putting Reign ahead 2-1.
 
Rip City threatened in the bottom half of the inning, but the Reign escaped the inning without allowing another run.
 
The game continued to swing back and forth in the third. Berkshire added to its lead after a single by John Naventi and an infield single from Fernando Vasconcelos put runners in scoring position. A walk to Camden Sievers brought another run across, extending the Reign lead to 3-1.
 
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