Springfield, Mass.
Crews have been clearing the roughly 14-acre development site in preparation for building a new parking garage. Foundation work on the seven-level, 3,400-space structure is expected to start this week.
The garage will be completed in about 20 months. The casino, hotel and entertainment complex is slated to open in late 2018.
It’s one of three resort casinos in development in Massachusetts. Wynn has halted work on a $1.7 billion Boston-area resort, pending a challenge to its state environmental permit.
The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s $1 billion First Light resort is under construction and expected to open in part by 2017.
Montpelier
Lake Champlain has the only lake sturgeon population in New England.
In Vermont, lake sturgeon are only found in Lake Champlain and the lower sections of the Winooski, Lamoille and Missisquoi rivers and the Otter Creek.
Biologists said they are “a unique, ancient form of fish.” They were given complete protection by law in 1967.
Anglers who catch a sturgeon and do not release it could lose their fishing license for up to three years, be subject to a $2,000 fee and a $722 fine.
Montpelier
The state oversees 90 wildlife management areas and many riverfront parcels totaling more than 133,000 acres.
The areas contain key habitats for a diverse array of wildlife species from bats to black bears and spruce grouse to snowshoe hare.
They are also for people to enjoy while hunting, fishing, trapping and pursuing other wildlife-based recreation.
The department reports that last year, 4,156 acres received habitat improvement and maintenance work of one type or another.
Some of the highlights include 800 acres that were purchased, conserving high priority habitat for wildlife and endangered plants, and 4,400 trees were planted to stabilize river banks and restore flood-plain forest habitat.
Sargents Purchase, n.h
Authorities launched a search Thursday for 47-year-old Francois Carrier, of Drummondville, Quebec.
State conservation officers and volunteers spent Saturday searching in and around the visitors center for him. Rescue dogs found Carrier‘’’s back pack, which authorities believe he lost May 8 while hiking.
A witness contacted local police Saturday afternoon about a man he believes was Carrier. The witness says he saw him carrying a duffel bag earlier in the week.
Authorities say Carrier’s family has arrived from Quebec and will continue searching for him. He’s been added to the national database for missing persons.
The White Mountain range, including Mount Washington, is a popular hiking destination.
— Wire reports