McCain recuperating after malignant growth removal

Arizona Senator John McCain had a melanoma removed from his nose on Monday at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Although originally reported that the growth was a "non-malignant melanoma," press secretary Nancy Ives explained that it was, in fact, malignant, according to CNN.com. Doctors from the Mayo Clinic explained that when a melanoma is caught at its earliest stage-as this was-there is a 96 percent cure rate. The lesion, a small pale freckle, was found on the left side of his nose and a biopsy was performed during a routine dermatological exam on Jan. 17. The biopsy of the freckle demonstrated pigment cells consistent with an evolving early melanoma in situ, this means that the pigment cells are limited to the outermost layer of skin and there is no evidence of invasion. McCain was scheduled to have plastic surgery last night to "cover the defect left by the incision," his doctors said, but should be released sometime today. McCain is expected to go back to work after resting for the remainder of the week. This melanoma was not related to any previous melanomas that McCain has had removed in the past.

Northampton, Massachusetts

Reich claims majority of delegates at gubernatorial caucus

Record turnouts led to surprise results in the Democratic gubernatorial caucuses in Hampshire County on Saturday. Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under President Bill Clinton and a late entry into the field, routed State Treasurer Shannon O'Brien who has her roots in Easthampton. Reich claimed all but one of the elected and alternate delegates, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Candidates need 15 percent of delegates' votes statewide in order to make it on the ballot for the September primary. Reich, who was not widely expected to be able to make the cutoff, said he now has 12 percent. O'Brien and Senate President Tom Birmingham also reported strong performances on Saturday; each declared enough supporters to capture a spot on the primary ballot. Other candidates are former State Senator Warren Tolman and businessman Steven Grossman, the former head of the state and national Democratic committee, who still lack the required 15 percent. Michael O'Brien, who is coordinating his sister's campaign, called Saturday's results, "a wake-up call." Caucuses are being held Saturday, Feb. 9 in Amherst and Easthampton.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Myers admitted to past sexual relations with minors

Former Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) Principal Stephen Myers admitted to police six years ago in Santa Cruz, Calif. that he had sexual relations with minors on two separate occasions, according to the Daily Hampshire Gazette. Myers was never formally charged because neither of the victims wanted to press charges. This comes after Myers' recent resignation amidst allegations of sexual misconduct involving a male student at ARHS and the Department of Social Services (DSS) taking custody of Myers' nine-year-old adopted son, according to the Gazette. In 1996, California police and social service investigators took away a four-year-old boy whom Myers was in the process of adopting. Attorney John Pucci, who is representing the family of the 15-year-old ARHS student, released a statement Thursday which includes part of a DSS report that cites statements by Myers admitting he was attracted to young boys and had sexual relations with them. Pucci said the family released a portion of the report to respond to those who believe the allegations against Myers are without merit, according to the Gazette.