SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission received $4.47 million in loan forgiveness from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Drinking Water Revolving Fund for the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant.

HOLYOKE — On Dec. 17, the City Council voted on the shift factor that set the tax rate for residential and commercial properties.

Throughout Massachusetts, 175 million households receive financial assistance to help purchase produce from approved farms, farmer’s markets and stores. As of Dec. 1, however, many are receiving much less.

AGAWAM — Mayor Chris Johnson and Town Engineer Michelle Chase met with the City Council at its Dec. 16 meeting to present the town’s pavement management plan.

RUSSELL — Dec. 14’s Russell Parade of Lights had the biggest crowd she’d ever seen, said organizer Missy Castro of the town’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

SOUTHWICK — For the second consecutive year, volunteers spent Dec. 14 in the Old and New Cemeteries honoring every military service member laid to rest there with a Christmas wreath adorned with a bright red bow.

WESTFIELD — If you look up, you just might see Westfield resident Mia Nagle flying above you.

WESTFIELD — Carmel Steger, president of the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail met up with local author Robert Madison at the Westfield Technical Academy library last week to present a copy of his book to the school.

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Center Town District Steering Committee took the first concrete step toward creating the district by mapping out the district’s boundaries, using input from residents.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield officials, state lawmakers and the Military Order of the Purple Heart gathered at City Hall to celebrate the city’s 10-year anniversary of receiving the Purple Heart designation.