months after the victim was plain on College Hill.
And state lawmakers come to Worcester
to hear arguments for state funding
of the Downtown Convention Center.
During your stay.
A prison inmate charged in connection with the killing
was arraigned in Central District Court today.
Sean Simms is charged with murder
in connection with the death of Roland Allert.
News Watch 3's Mike Thompson reports
police are also closing in on a third suspect.
As we had before, I'm showing that
since his complaint 95-62,
he has 78-84, charging him with murder.
The murder charge against 25-year-old Sean Simms
dates back to April of 1994,
when the beaten body of 28-year-old Roland Allert
was found in a wooded area off Whipple Street.
Simms is the second person charged
in connection with the murder,
and the detective who helped crack the case
says they're looking for another suspect.
We believe we know where he is,
as to specifically where he is,
I wouldn't want to say it.
How close are you to making an arrest, what you said?
We hope that we're very close.
Simms is currently serving a five to 10-year sentence
for accessory to murder
in the 1993 death of Keith McCabe.
The Worcester man was shot at point blank range
on Oliver Street by Simms' friend, Jessica Hassett.
Towner would not say who they suspect
actually killed Allert,
but Simms' attorney says it was not her client.
Mr. Simms was not present when the actual act
was committed, is my understanding,
but was present at some point before this act.
Simms' father says he suspects
one of his son's acquaintances from Rhode Island.
Violence is a problem in every community.
Law enforcement is part of the solution,
but prevention is still the best approach.
You can help.
There are many ways you can get involved.
Volunteer mentors at U Incorporated
can provide a positive role model for a young person.
A big brother or big sister
can provide the nurturing relationship
that grows productive lives.
Keep the violence from Worcester.
Call the Volunteer Center today at 757-5631.
128 B.S.,
belonging to the
news team. First place winner of the 1995 NECTA Public Service Award. This is your news
Worcester County News Watch 3. Brush fires continue to rage in central
Massachusetts and county commissioners get a firsthand look at the overcrowded conditions
at the House of Corrections. Good evening I'm Martin Moranis.
And I'm Andrea Stasu. It took firefighters about an hour to contain a fire in the Newton
Square area of Worcester today. Dry conditions are contributing to the fire danger tonight.
The fire on Newton Hill charred a half dozen acres. Firemen fought the flames with hand
pump tanks and hoses. The fire began in a wooden parcel of land in back of Doherty High
School near the Newton Square Memorial. Arsenora carelessly disposed of cigarette could have
started the brush fire in an area of trails used by students at the high school. Firefighters
say rain is sorely needed to turn around extremely dry conditions and reduce the danger of brush
fires. Firefighters were still on the scene of a brush fire on Bell Hill which continues
to burn in tree roots. That fire has been smoldering for about three weeks now and North
Borough firefighters today reported a brush fire that could be seen from Interstate 290.
Boylston fire crews were called in to help quell that brush fire.
To help ease overcrowding at the Worcester County House of Correction, county commissioners
today approved a plan to temporarily house prisoners at the former Worcester County Hospital.
Meeting at the overcrowded jail, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the recommendation
of Sheriff Mike Flynn. If needed, up to 40 minimum security prisoners would be held in
the cooks quarters of the empty hospital which closed last year.
The jail is currently violating a federal court consent decree which limits the number
of inmates that can be held at the facility. To get a better idea of the overcrowding problem
at the Worcester County House of Correction, county commissioners toured the facility today.
News Watch 3's Mike Thompson reports jail officials are looking to house prisoners any
place they can.
The gates opened and county commissioners got to see first hand the prison's overcrowding
problem. They toured cell blocks and looked into cells designed for one bunk that are
now holding two prisoner beds. The overcrowding has increased tension inside the jail's fences.
Too many people in a small area, fights start, they erupt, gangs get together, safety of
our officers are involved, and the safety of the public is involved.
In an effort to meet the conditions of a federal consent decree without releasing prisoners,
Flynn has proposed temporarily housing 75 to 100 inmates in half of the jail's gymnasium.
County commissioners generally support Flynn's proposal which also includes double bunking
even more prisoners.
He knows best what's needed for this jail. One, I totally support keeping prisoners exactly
where they are.
Flynn's plan meets the approval of the federal judge. If she denies the request, Flynn says
he may have to move jail inmates to other buildings like the Hampton County Sheriff
did a few years ago. But Flynn says that option is a last resort.
The problem we have is security. You know, you can find a lot of buildings, you know,
they say take over an armory. Well, that was good at a time when it was done by Sheriff
Mike Gash. It's not feasible at this time because the people that are inside these raised
fences, they belong there.
Flynn Wooster, Mike Thompson, News Watch 3.
Flynn continues to call on state lawmakers to approve money to construct a new wing which
would contain 550 beds.
A city man is in the state prison in Walpole tonight. 24-year-old Philip Wilson yesterday
pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter. Wilson was convicted in last December of stabbing
death of 63-year-old Eugene Flack of Holden. Flack was found dead in his home. He had been
stabbed several times. Wilson will have to serve at least 10 years before becoming eligible
for parole.
And still ahead on News Watch 3, a record-breaking day on Wall Street. Carol Winn has a story
later tonight.
Also tonight, Amy Pankener tells us about a bald eagle that is taking flight again at
the Science Center.
And no one had the blues watching the NHL St. Louis Blues train in Marlboro today. You're
watching Wooster County's News Watch 3.
On the next Studio 3, we celebrate the return of Monday Night Jazz to the El Morocco. Don't
miss Jack Pesinelli Quartet with special guest Fred Lipsius, formerly of Blood, Sweat and
Tears, Monday at 8.30, Wednesday at 10.30, and Thursday at 7 on WGMC-TV3.
Hi, I'm Kathia Manzi, your host for TV Open House, a new real estate show. Join us weeknights
to see homes for sale here in Central Massachusetts. We'll show you new homes every Wednesday from
7 to 7.30. And for your convenience, the program repeats Thursday through Sunday. Join us on
TV Open House.
Listen to this. My guy says don't worry about the market. Buy puts in Japan.
I know, it's a little exciting to me.
He's got a new one every week.
Hey, at least your broker calls you.
Are you kidding? They'll drive you nuts. Guys, you never heard of him?
I'll tell you, I don't think I have the stomach.
He's not dead yet.
He's not dead yet. He's not dead yet.
He doesn't have a horror story. He doesn't react to every bump in the market. He's a
leg mason investor. If your goal is long-term gain with minimum risk, talk to us.
There's a new gasoline.
What's new about it?
With the power to drive down maintenance costs.
Really? Are you serious?
Yes, we are. New Exxon gasoline keeps your engine cleaner.
Clean is good.
So it can help drive down maintenance costs.
Did Gas do that?
New Exxon gasoline can, with the power to drive down maintenance costs.
Gas that can save you money.
For more reliable performance.
Okay, I'll try it.
People stop and buy to rely on the Tiger.
Voter turnout has been called slow for today's preliminary election in the city of Worcester.
Officials were predicting a 15% turnout for today's election to trim the field of at-large
city council candidates. But it looks like turnout will not even reach the 15% mark.
Those who did vote today say the election is still important.
I felt it was my duty to vote to say there's going to be a light turnout, but you want
to see your council as you want get in. And the at-large candidates pick the right ones.
So every vote counts. People say it's meaningless. Some say it isn't meaningless.
I really can't say. I just feel that it's my duty to come out to vote to get, like I
said, to get the best guys in the office.
Today's at-large preliminary will trim the field of 14 incumbents and challengers down
to 12. Those who qualify today will vie for six at-large seats in the November election.
City officials say today's election cost about $70,000 to administer. Andrea?
About 50 Clinton administration officials are visiting schools across the country to
criticize Republican-proposed cuts in education. Ed Augustus with the U.S. Department of Education
toured Worcester schools today. He met with parents and told them the House proposed budget
would slash $36 billion in educational programs.
The budget cuts would be devastating in the city of Worcester. Over 1,000 students receiving
Chapter 1 programs here in Worcester would be cut. 40 families who are receiving Head
of State programs would be eliminated. The Pell grants, 360,000 kids across the country
would be eliminated from Pell grant eligibility. Student loans would be more expensive. So
in this whole train wreck scenario, we hear so much about President Clinton's really
drawing the line on education.
Republicans want to cap or eliminate the student loan program, which makes government loans
directly available to students without involvement from banks. Republicans say the plans would
not harm student eligibility for loans.
There is no significant rain in the forecast and that has forced the town of Paxton to
impose a mandatory ban on outdoor water use. The water level at Paxton's reservoir is down
about 40 percent. The ban prohibits residents from watering lawns and washing cars. Residents
are subject to fines if they violate the ban. Town officials are looking for alternate sources
of water. The State Highway Department is giving the town of Lester more than a million
dollars. State Senator Matt Amarello and Representative John Bonenda say the funds will be used for
constructing sewer lines in Cherry Valley. The sewer line has been a priority for residents
in the valley for some time. Amarello says the work will be done by the State Highway
Department next spring in conjunction with the