Harry Rock, race director for the 70th running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races on April 19 said he believed the final head count was 293 paddlers on the river.

HOLYOKE — To recognize and celebrate the efforts of Cheryl Juaire for helping raise awareness for opioid overdose, MiraVista Behavioral Health Center presented her with the first You-Have-Our AdMIRAtion Award of 2025.

CHICOPEE — With April being Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Chicopee hosted a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on April 11.

CHICOPEE — On April 16, dissatisfaction with their contract negotiations forced members of the Chicopee Education Association and supporters to rally at City Hall before then participating in public comment at the School Committee meeting that night.

SPRINGFIELD — Scott and Kim Meyer met a little over a decade ago at Baystate Medical Center while they were both undergoing serious kidney dialysis treatments.

EAST LONGMEADOW — About 200 families woke up bright and early on April 19, put on rain boots and grabbed their tackle boxes for the East Longmeadow Lions Club Fishing Derby at Heritage Park.

SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow and Springfield have joined forces with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to continue pushing a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to illegal dirt bikes and ATVs.

WILBRAHAM — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal visited Life Care Center of Wilbraham, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, to discuss how potential cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security would impact long- and short-term care providers and their clients.

NORTHAMPTON — ValleyBike Share is returning to the region with its network of e-bikes and stations thanks to a recent state grant bringing back the services for the next two years.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Black lights, canvas, cardboard and tissue paper: in the hands of children, it becomes art. On April 15, children eagerly ran around the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club showing their creations to family members at the West Springfield Boys & Girls Club Art Exhibit.