Man charged in stabbing death of Greenfield native
GREENFIELD — The University of Colorado student arrested in the fatal stabbing of a Greenfield man in Boulder, Colorado, is charged with second-degree murder, despite prosecutors suggesting a first-degree murder charge, which indicates the defendant intentionally killed another person, could be supported by the allegations.
Sean Hudson, 26, of Greenfield, was stabbed at least six times early Dec. 12 near the University of Colorado campus in Boulder during an argument, police said.
Ian Scheuermann, 22, of Boulder, now faces two felonies in the case: one count of second-degree murder and one count of menacing.
He was arrested immediat- ely following the incident Dec. 12 but has since been released on $100,000 bond, according to Boulder County Jail records.
Clerk-treasurer Breese retires after 20 years
GREENFIELD — The City of Greenfield this week celebrated the retirement of its longtime clerk-treasurer, Larry Breese, who held the office for more than two decades.
Breese first took office Jan. 1, 1996. Now, nearly 20 years after the 66-year-old left his career as a salesman and started his first term, he’s handing the office over. His fifth term ends Dec. 31, when clerk-treasurer-elect Lori Elmore takes over. She ran unopposed in the primary and general elections for the seat after Breese chose not to pursue a sixth term.
The past two decades for Breese’s friends and colleagues have been shaped by a man they say has always been a reliable, supportive force at city hall, whose extensive knowledge of the city’s finances made it easier for others to do their jobs. He recognized others’ needs and stepped in to help, especially when a fellow city official was new to a position.
“This job has been everything I thought it would be,” Breese said. “It’s been the most enjoyable run.”
New Palestine approves walking, biking trail plan
NEW PALESTINE — The first step in New Palestine’s newly approved trails plan is to create a safe route for walkers and bikers along Gem Road.
A $5.4 million master plan for 12.55 miles of paths through the town — a project to be completed in phases over 15 years — was recently approved by town officials.
A committee overseeing the project has identified small paths where construction will start, including along the well-traveled Gem Road.
Town officials have been exploring the possibility of creating bike and pedestrian paths for years throughout New Palestine, which currently lacks trails and paths for walking through town. Six months ago, they put together a 10-member committee and hired an engineering firm to study the issue and draft a plan. Both town officials and trail designers say establishing paths will help people travel through town more safely and promote healthier living.
School fast-tracks take-home laptop computer program
GREENFIELD — By August, about 700 students from Greenfield Central Junior High School will have laptops to call their own.
The initiative to supply students with take-home computers is not new. About 1,500 Greenfield-Central High School students received MacBook Air laptops last August, and districts across the county have adopted similar programs in recent years.
But the decision to fast-track the junior high phase of the program, a year ahead of the timeline district officials originally proposed, leaves some staff members conflicted. While most are excited about the addition and the expanded teaching options, some are intimidated by the preparation and complexity the accelerated rollout will bring.
Paying for 750 MacBook Airs won’t be cheap. The laptops retail for $800 apiece. But district officials say parents won’t have to pay anything extra out of pocket to cover the cost. The district is paying for the computers through a four-year lease with Apple, spending approximately $200 a year for each computer before reselling them and upgrading to a newer model, officials say.
In all, the move will cost the district about $600,000 over four years.
