AMHERST, Mass.

Library won’t relocate ‘profoundly racist’ books

Officials with Amherst’s public library say they have no plans to relocate a collection of “Tintin” adventure books despite the objections of some parents who say they are blatantly racist.

The Jones Library board of trustees on Thursday took no action on a request from five parents asking that the 1930s-era graphic novels detailing the global, crime-solving adventures of Belgian reporter Tintin and his loyal dog, Snowy, be moved from the entrance of the children’s area to either the young adult or the adult section of the library.

Library Director Sharon Sharry says moving the books would amount to censoring them, based on the American Library Association’s definition of censorship.

Parent Andrew Grant-Thomas told The Daily Hampshire Gazette that some of the volumes are “profoundly racist books.”

BOSTON

Bombing victims’ fund soon to distribute more donations

The Boston Marathon bombing victims’ fund says it is preparing for a second distribution of donations.

The One Fund has already distributed the nearly $61 million it collected in the first three months after the April 15 explosions at the marathon finish line that killed three people and injured more than 260. More than 230 people benefited.

Since then, more than $12 million more has been collected.

The second distribution is expected in July.

One Fund administrators have been reaching out to survivors to determine what they need and how best to distribute the additional donations.

One bombing suspect died in a shootout with police and a second is detained pending trial.

BURLINGTON, Vt.

Shorter sentence sought for movie-scam perpetrator

A lawyer for a man sentenced for a $28 million movie fundraising fraud scheme says his client deserves less time in prison.

Malcolm “Mac” Parker was sentenced last year to 4½ years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and filing false tax papers.

He oversaw both the fundraising and filming aspects of a movie project that shortchanged hundreds of Vermonters. A co-defendant, Louis Soteriou, was sentenced to 84 months in prison.

The Burlington Free Press reports Parker’s lawyer, John Pacht, says in a document filed with the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City that prosecutors only recommended a three-year sentence.

Federal Judge Christina Reiss said she increased Parker’s sentence because she didn’t believe Parker had accepted responsibility for his conduct.

GORHAM, N.H.

Paper mill to lay off staff, cites increases in fuel prices

The Gorham Paper and Tissue mill is temporarily restructuring and cutting staff.

The company announced Friday that sudden, extreme increases in New England’s natural gas prices are forcing the temporary restructuring of its papermaking operations. Chief Executive Officer Michael Cummings said the mill plans to operate only one or two paper machines on a regular basis the rest of the winter.

He said it is too soon to tell how many people will be laid off but estimated it would be 20 to 50 workers. Other workers will experience intermittent, week-long layoffs.

– From news service reports

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