HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — A 24-year-old man has been convicted of first-degree murder in connection to the deadly shooting of Elis Vizcarrondo back in 2022, according to Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.

On July 3^rd, 2022, officers arrived to the scene at the Connecticut River, finding Vizcarrondo’s body after he had been shot in the back of the head and through his right eye.

During the investigation, officials received information from witnesses that led them to 131 Clemente Street in Holyoke, where it was confirmed, the victim was killed. Officials were also able to find out there were multiple others involved.

One of the others, William Bell, was charged, but had already passed away in April 2025, while in custody at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction. Officials say Miguel Morales was also later charged, as an accessory after the fact.

During the trial of 24-year-old Elijah Melendez of Holyoke, it came out that Melendez had admitted to multiple people that he worked alongside Bell to kill Vizcarrondo, due to their connection with a separate homicide investigation.

Melendez was found guilty by a jury of first-degree murder, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license. His sentencing is scheduled for Friday, May 1st, in Hampden Superior Court.

The investigation was conducted through a coordinated effort between the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, along with the Holyoke Police Department and the Chicopee Police Department.

Candidates vying to become Maine’s next governor have until midnight Tuesday to file campaign finance reports for the first quarter of the year.

The reports will show who is best positioned to control the message in the final month-plus until the primaries. But fundraising success doesn’t always guarantee a win at the ballot box.

The reports come as a growing number of leading candidates are taking to the airwaves a head of the June 9 primaries. Five Democrats and seven Republicans are vying to replace Gov. Janet Mills, who is term limited.

As of Tuesday, Republican Jonathan Bush topped all candidates in broadcast, cable and digital advertising, having booked nearly $1.5 million in ads through the primary, the political spending tracker AdImpact said.

But Republican Garrett Mason is benefitting from about $3 million in spending by Restoration of America PAC, which is running ads targeting Gov. Janet Mills and tying Mason to President Donald Trump.

Other Republican candidates running ads are Bobby Charles ($63,000), Owen McCarthy ($43,660) and Ben Midgely ($55,000.)

Hannah Pingree tops the Democratic slate with about $564,000 in ad spending, followed by Nirav Shah ($493,000), Shenna Bellows ($462,700) and Angus King III ($299,000.)

As of Tuesday afternoon, fundraising totals were only trickling in. Public access to those reports was hampered because the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics & Election Practices is building a new website, and glitches made some reports unviewable.

This story will be updated when more reports are filed. As of Tuesday afternoon:

• Republican Jonathan Bush reported raising about $845,000 in the first quarter, but 60% of that, $500,000, was a personal loan to his own campaign. His totals were not yet available through the new website, but his quarterly fundraising and spending was provided by ethics staff.

• Republican Robert Wessels was the only other active candidate that had filed. He raised nearly $11,600 for the quarter and has about $13,540 in cash.

This is a developing story.

Massachusetts and California are the first US states to become IUCN members.

BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced Massachusetts is now an official member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global network of more than 1,400 governments and organizations.

Massachusetts and California are the first U.S. states to become members of the IUCN, marking a significant step in the states’ environmental leadership. This milestone places Massachusetts within the world’s leading coalition focused on advancing the conservation of nature and addressing environmental challenges at a global scale.

The IUCN membership strengthens Massachusetts’ commitment to biodiversity and climate action. It also builds on the state’s nation-leading Biodiversity Conservation Goals, which define a whole-of-government approach to rebuild biodiversity and invest in nature to sustain public health, well-being, food security and the economy.

“In Massachusetts, we are taking proactive steps to protect the natural resources people rely on, from clean water and open spaces to healthy wildlife,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Joining this global network puts Massachusetts at the table with leaders from around the world and gives us access to proven tools and practical solutions we can use here at home.” 

Massachusetts is home to many globally rare habitats and threatened species, including coastal shorebirds, sea turtles, whales, salamanders, and dragonflies. The state is known for its coastline, fishing communities, cranberry bogs, orchards, and mountain glens. These species and landscapes face growing pressures from climate change, such as flooding and drought.

By joining IUCN, the state will strengthen its ability to respond to these challenges. It will gain access to a global network of conservation expertise and resources. Massachusetts will also bring its own experience protecting and restoring species and their habitats to the international forum.

This partnership, led by the Department of Fish & Game for Massachusetts, will support ongoing work to protect and restore biodiversity and natural areas, build resilience and connect the state to broader international efforts.

“As an IUCN member, Massachusetts is now part of a growing group of subnational governments who are contributing to crucial action on the ground, knowledge exchange, and progress towards achieving conservation targets of global significance,”  said IUCN Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar. 

The state’s membership in the IUCN aligns with investments proposed in Governor Healey’s Mass Ready Act. This act helps protect the state’s natural resources and prepares for extreme weather. The membership gives Massachusetts added support to better protect these resources and keep them accessible.