Day: October 9, 2018

CHICOPEE — The Center for Law & Justice at Elms College will host a lecture by Sarah Stein of the Center for the Resolution of Unresolved Crime on Thursday, Nov. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Alumnae Library Theater.

Stein, a forensic and behavioral analyst who works with law-enforcement agencies as a consultant and investigator on cold cases and death investigations, will give a talk titled “Cold Cases and the Politics of Murder.”

She has been involved in the case of Joanne Ringer of Clarksburg, who had been missing for over a year before her remains were found in Hatfield earlier this year. She also was involved in the case of Molly Bish, who had been missing for three years before her remains were found in Hampden County in 2003.

Stein earned her Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi and her master’s degree in forensic science (with a concentration in advanced investigation and a certificate in computer forensics) from the University of New Haven. She also developed her own bachelor’s degree in the victimology of pedophilia (a combination of criminal justice, sociology, and psychology) at American University in Washington, D.C. She has taught at Clayton State University, Western New England University, and Fitchburg State University.

Stein began consulting on cold cases during her time at the University of New Haven, under the direction of the Henry C. Lee Institute. Since that time, she has consulted independently for numerous law-enforcement agencies and families on cold-case homicides, missing-persons cases, and child-abduction homicides. Currently, she provides both training and case-consultation services to law enforcement.

HOLYOKE — The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation donated $50,000 to Holyoke Community College (HCC) for the benefit of students preparing for careers in the culinary-arts and hospitality industry. 

Bill Wagner, president of the foundation, presented a check for that amount to HCC President Christina Royal and officials from the nonprofit HCC Foundation during a brief ceremony on Oct. 2 at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. The $50,000 donation will go toward programs, equipment, maintenance, instruction, and student services at the institute, which opened in January at 164 Race St. in downtown Holyoke. 

“The foundation is pleased to lend its support to HCC’s remarkable new Culinary Arts Institute,” said Wagner, an HCC alumnus from the class of 1971. “It’s quite an impressive facility unique in Western Massachusetts that we can be proud of for generations to come. With HCC’s expansion into this state-of-the-art facility, our region’s growing hospitality industry will directly benefit from well-trained chefs and hospitality staff. HCC has a rich history of providing quality education in Western Mass., and we couldn’t be prouder to stand behind them.”

During the ceremony, a plaque recognizing the donation was unveiled outside the institute’s general purpose lab, which is the teaching kitchen used for HCC’s non-credit culinary and workforce-training programs. 

“We are honored to name a space here in recognition of the generosity of the Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement. “This investment will allow us to continue to enhance our culinary-arts training and professional development for the benefit of our students and the community. We are incredibly grateful for this leadership support and especially pleased that it gives us a chance to thank Mr. Wagner, an HCC alumnus, for his continued commitment to our mission.”

SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C. announced that Jeffrey Trapani, a partner with the firm, has received appointments from the Hampshire County Bar Assoc. and the Supreme Judicial Court, effective Sept. 1.

“We are thrilled that Jeffrey is being recognized with these appointments,” said Partner James Martin. “Jeff strives to provide the very best advocacy for his clients, and both of these committees will benefit from having his legal mind involved in the decision-making process.”

Trapani was unanimously approved to fill the upcoming vacancy on the Joint Bar Committee on Judicial Appointments for the Hampshire County Bar Assoc. The Joint Bar Committee is an independent, non-partisan entity comprised of two dozen attorneys from across Massachusetts, including three members each of the Massachusetts and Boston bar associations.

The Supreme Judicial Court appointed Trapani to the Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure. As part of the committee, he will assist in reviewing and recommending amendments to the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure and the Massachusetts Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Trapani concentrates his practice in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. He also represents many landlords in summary process action and housing-discrimination claims, and insurance companies in unfair-settlement claims and coverage issues.

In addition to trial work, Trapani also represents clients in mediations and arbitrations. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Massachusetts Defense Lawyer Assoc. and holds associations with the Massachusetts, Hampden County, Hampshire County, and federal bar associations. Since 2008, he has been selected to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Due to high demand, DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology on Riverdale Street in West Springfield will begin offering an evening program starting Tuesday, Nov. 6.

“We’re very excited to add this night program to our school,” said owner Paul DiGrigoli. “It’s great for those who have always wanted to pursue cosmetology but couldn’t due to conflicting work schedules or childcare. Just because life gets busy doesn’t mean you should throw away your dreams. Now is the perfect time to join the DiGrigoli School family.”

The program will run Monday to Thursday from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. and will be available to all new and current students. Those interested in either the day or evening programs should contact admissions at (413) 827-0037, ext. 28 or visit www.digrigoli.com/school for more information. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.