Ryan D. Welch pleads innocent to murder in death of Jessica Ann Pripstein

EASTHAMPTON - Prosecutors on Wednesday charged Ryan D. Welch, 36, of Easthampton, with murder in the death of his girlfriend, Jessica Ann Pripstein. Pripstein, 39, was found dead in her apartment early Monday morning by police who responded to a 911 call in which Pripstein allegedly told the operator that her boyfriend was trying to kill her, according to Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. The DA's office said that Pripstein died from a "sharp-force injury" to her neck.

In Southampton, Rachel Truehart says she left 'The Bachelor' with heart intact

SOUTHAMPTON - Sitting in the kitchen of her parents' home on Lead Mine Road, Rachel Truehart looked nearly as glamorous as she did when she stepped out of a limousine in a jaw-dropping red dress on the season premiere of "The Bachelor." Truehart, 27, was eliminated from the show on the Feb. 13 episode after becoming one of the final six women vying for Flajnik's affection. When the first episode aired on ABC on Jan. 2, 25 women were hoping for the love of Flajnik, a 28-year-old winemaker from Sonoma, Calif.

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Police search for reported gunman on Route 10 in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON - State and local police descended on the house at 321 Easthampton Road this afternoon after receiving a 911 call stating that a man, possibly armed with a handgun, was attempting to break in.

Surveillance sets UMass, police at odds

NORTHAMPTON - A Hampshire Superior Court judge has ordered that the University of Massachusetts cease all unnecessary audio recording in its police station immediately.

Not a problem, according to an attorney for UMass, who said no unwarranted recording has occurred.

Amherst bank robber sentenced to probation

NORTHAMPTON - A Sunderland man who robbed an Amherst bank for money to support the heroin habits of himself and his accomplice was sentenced Wednesday to five years' probation.

UMass student hurt Sunday remains in hospital

AMHERST - Police have identified the 20-year-old University of Massachusetts student who was injured Sunday after being hit by a car.

Amherst chief not inclined to bill people for certain rescues

AMHERST - Although a rescue at the Notch last week strained resources of the Amherst Fire Department, its chief says he is not inclined to seek payments in such cases from those his crews help.

"These things are few and far between," said Chief Walter "Tim" Nelson.