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Jan 13, 2025 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield

Legislators name HERO Act, gun law, housing among accomplishments

SPRINGFIELD — Both state Sen. Adam Gomez and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez spoke about the gun legislation signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey as one of the most important achievements of the last legislative session.

Jan 13, 2025 | Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Local Headlines, Local News, Northampton

Central Hampshire Vets Services seeking to honor World War II vets in the region

NORTHAMPTON — The Central Hampshire Veterans Services in Northampton are calling out to the communities of Western Mass. in search of remaining World War II veterans as they are tentatively scheduling a ceremony in their honor for May to celebrate the incredible men and women who sacrificed so much to protect freedom and democracy eight decades ago.

Jan 13, 2025 | Easthampton, Granby, Hampshire County, Local Headlines, South Hadley

State Rep. Homar Gomez looks ahead to 2025

EASTHAMPTON — Looking ahead to 2025 Reminder Publishing connected with new state Rep. Homar Gomez to discuss his expectations and hopes for his first year in the state house.

Upset HWRSD parents ask LPVEC ‘what are we doing?’ about bus delays

WILBRAHAM — Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District families upset with the tardiness of buses will have to wait until the start of the 2025-2026 school year before a permanent fix is in place. In the meantime, transportation provider Lower Pioneer Valley Collaborative’s Executive Director Alvin Morton was on hand to answer questions at the Jan. 9 School Committee meeting.

Longmeadow residents urged to ‘embrace differences’ at DEI Committee event

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee hosted the first of six events planned for 2025 that will examine topics and issues including race, ability, gender and other underrepresented identities and communities.

Sandlin to serve another term as Agawam City Council president

AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council unanimously reelected City Councilor Rosemary Sandlin as the council’s president and City Councilor Anthony Russo as the council’s vice president.

Holyoke to host special election on Jan. 28 for treasurer’s position status

HOLYOKE — On Tuesday, Jan. 28, voters will be asked if they want to continue the practice of electing the city treasurer or approve a city charter change to make the position appointed, rather than elected.

Historic Ghost Talks return on Jan. 30 at First Congressional Church

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Historical Commission is in the planning stages for local events to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution which officially began in April of 1775. The commission invites any local or regional community groups to participate in this venture.

Two Planning Board members resigned after Jan. 7 meeting

SOUTHWICK — As the Planning Board wrapped up its over two-hour meeting on Jan. 7, Chair Michael Doherty and board member David Sutton announced they were resigning.

Asset Management Board to decide on Springfield courthouse proposal by end of January

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Asset Management Board is currently considering a public/private partnership for a new Hampden County courthouse in Springfield with hopes of having a decision on the matter by the end of this month.

Fenton remains Springfield council president; Whitfield made vice president

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council unanimously selected Ward 2 City Councilor Michael Fenton as the council’s president and At-Large City Councilor Tracye Whitfield as the council’s vice president for the 2025 legislative session.

State Rep. Kelly Pease doubles down on priorities

WESTFIELD — Two days after being sworn in for his third term on Jan. 1, state Rep. Kelly Pease spoke about his priorities for his next term, which he said remain the same: education, roads, the elderly and clean water.

WinterFest fundraiser for Nashawannuck Pond underway

EASTHAMPTON — The 12th annual Easthampton WinterFest is underway as of the start of the new year, culminating with a day filled with fun in the city on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Ryan Feyre

Tower Pizza brings Puerto Rican fare, traditional pizza to food court

SPRINGFIELD — Michael Baez manifests a simple yet hospitable mantra when it comes to his approach working in the food business: bring joy to the customers.

Sarah Heinonen

East Longmeadow School Committee agrees to add more full-day preschool

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow School Committee approved a plan to attract more students to the preschool program at Meadow Brook Elementary School by offering another full-day class.

Sarah Heinonen

Survey seeks opinions on athletic fields, turf at LHS stadium

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow wants to hear from you. The town has launched a survey for residents to weigh in on the town’s athletic fields and whether people want a turf field at the Longmeadow High School stadium.

Sarah Heinonen

East Longmeadow Planning Board hashes out accessory dwelling bylaw

EAST LONGMEADOW — Tiny homes, in-law apartments and other sub-separate living structures, known as accessory dwelling units, will be allowed by right in Massachusetts as of Feb. 2. The Affordable Homes Act, passed in the summer of 2024, prohibits municipalities from outlawing the living arrangements. However, towns can implement reasonable restrictions, which has left them scrambling to put bylaws on the books by the deadline.

Cliff Clark

Cannabis retailer appears before Southwick Planning Board

SOUTHWICK — The principals of Pioneer Valley Trading Co., the recreational cannabis store working through the permitting process to open in town, made their first appearance in front of the Planning Board on Jan. 7 and they were “excited to get it going.”

Ryan Feyre

Mason Square approved for storefront incentive program

SPRNGFIELD — The city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development announced on Jan. 7 that Mason Square was approved for the Massachusetts Vacant Storefronts Program.

Local Headlines

Legislators name HERO Act, gun law, housing among accomplishments

Central Hampshire Vets Services seeking to honor World War II vets in the region

State Rep. Homar Gomez looks ahead to 2025

Moved by the wildfires? Here’s how to help

Agawam and West Springfield students serve as ambassadors to statewide service project

Sarah Heinonen

Hampden leaders discuss potential town offices move

HAMPDEN — Members of Hampden’s town leadership are considering repurposing Thornton W. Burgess School to house the town’s offices. At the second meeting on the topic, on Jan. 7, Selectboard Chair Donald Davenport went over several considerations.

Mike Lydick

Four contenders hoping to become Agawam’s new colleen

AGAWAM — Rachel Sills will perform one last — and important — duty as Agawam’s reigning colleen next month when she crowns one of four young women vying to succeed her for 2025.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee City Council discusses adding process to recall an elected official

CHICOPEE — During the Jan. 7 City Council meeting, the council discussed a favorable Rules Committee report regarding adopting a proposed recall provision for an elected official.

Amy Porter

Public hearing for Goss Hill gravel pit scheduled for Jan. 21

HUNTINGTON — The Zoning Board of Appeals has scheduled a continued public hearing on a special permit for a proposed 4.9-acre gravel pit at 61 Goss Hill Rd. on land owned by William B. Hull Forestlands on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. in Stanton Hall.

Amy Porter

Westfield City Council reelects Beltrandi as president for 2025

WESTFIELD — At the start of a brief rescheduled City Council meeting on Jan. 6, Councilor Cindy Harris made a motion to nominate Ward 5 Councilor John Beltrandi to continue as City Council president in 2025. When no other nominations came forward, the council unanimously approved the nomination.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield School Committee elects new vice chair; ponders return of assistant superintendent

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield School Committee elected LaTonia Monroe Naylor as the new vice chair of the School Committee during it’s organizational meeting on Jan. 2.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Matt Conway

Dinner and a Show: Brunch with a view and ‘Mufasa’

An irresistible restaurant is not only defined by its food. Sure, a tasty bite to eat is an essential component, yet it is often the arresting atmosphere and authentic sense of place that keeps patrons coming back for more.

Dennis Hackett

A pair of reviews crossing video games and movies

With a couple of high-profile video game turned movie and movie turned video game releases in December, I wanted to review both. As has become clear from my previous columns, one of my biggest hobbies is gaming, so I could not pass up the opportunity to talk about two of my favorite pieces of media this year, the movie “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” and the video game “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.”

Sarah Heinonen

Annual 48-Hour Play Festival to offer theatrical tour de force

LUDLOW — Plenty of people are creative but Exit 7 Players want to know if they can be creative under pressure. Beginning Friday, Jan. 17, playwrights will have just one day to create a work for the stage, actors will have less than that to learn their lines and directors will have to make it all come together for the second Annual 48-Hour Play Festival.

Matt Conway

‘Home Alone’ star reflects during ‘Nostalgic Night’ screening

Sometimes, a film catapults to a rare cultural pinnacle out of nowhere. While filmmakers and executives pour hours into each production, no one can truly replicate the indescribable alchemy that breeds a touchstone endeavor.

Provisions

Provisions Picks: Time to give the Franciacorta region its due

As we reach the New Year, it is of course time to talk about bubbles. While we could discuss Champagne, as we almost always do during this time of year, I’d rather turn your attention to a region that simply never seems to get its due: Franciacorta.

Matt Conway

Dinner and a Show: A marvelous meal and not so marvelous movie

I am a glutton for video games. Sure, you could argue there are more productive activities to pursue in one’s free time, yet the artistry and interactivity of video games continue to captivate.

Opinion

G. Michael Dobbs

Four more years for Mayor Domenic Sarno after fourth term?

The next mayoral race will culminate with an inauguration in 2028. That’s a while off but the supporters of Dominic Sarno are prepping now.

Staasi Heropoulos

Using this word too often makes it lose its meaning

Most of us have received correspondence beginning with the trite, “We regret to inform you that [fill in the blank].”

Letters to the Editor

Progress, Triumph, and New Challenges

As the holiday season fills our homes with warmth, joy, and family, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the trust you’ve placed in me to serve as your State Senator.

G. Michael Dobbs

Merriam-Webster picked its word of the year, what’s yours?

It’s a favorite time of the year — when Merriam-Webster announces its word of the year.

Staasi Heropoulos

The first 48 hours of grief after losing our dog, Scotty

It was 2021 when a veterinary oncologist blew up our world. Our cherished dog Scotty had cancer. Chemotherapy was said to give him six months more to live, so we gave it a shot.

Payton North

Continuing to build a life rich in what matters most

As January 2024 approached, I wrote a column candidly sharing that I did not know what made me happy anymore. At the time, I was dealing with a big loss. My grandfather John, who was more of a best friend than a typical grandpa — had passed away a few months earlier. I was starting a new year — a year without him — and I felt as though everything I knew and was comfortable with had changed.

G. Michael Dobbs

Western Massachusetts artist is featured in new exhibit

The way that life can twist and turn about always amazes me. For instance, a couple of years ago I received a Facebook message from a guy I didn’t know. He happens to be the grandson of my grandmother’s brother.

Payton North

Taking thankfulness beyond the Thanksgiving table

A few years ago, I wrote a column titled, “The most valuable gift can be the gift of time.” Those words have stayed with me, and as the Thanksgiving season reminds us to reflect on gratitude, they feel more relevant than ever.