Home - The Reminder

U.S. Postal Workers protest possible privatization

Mar 26, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield

U.S. Postal Workers protest possible privatization

SPRINGFIELD — President Donald Trump’s potential desire to move the United States Postal Service under the Commerce Department is causing vexation amongst postal workers across the nation, including here in Springfield.

Local officials come out for White Oak School celebration

Mar 26, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Westfield

Local officials come out for White Oak School celebration

WESTFIELD — White Oak School hosted a community celebration on March 19 and invited local legislators and city leaders for a tour of the campus and a peek into the work done by the school.

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge replacement hearing set for April 3

Mar 26, 2025 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge replacement hearing set for April 3

CHICOPEE — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be hosting a public hearing on Friday, April 3 at 6 p.m. at Liberty Church, 780 Chicopee St., to discuss the replacement of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge.

Westfield superintendent signs new three-year contract

WESTFIELD — At its March 17 meeting, the School Committee unanimously endorsed a new three-year with Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, effective July 1.

Garcia presents PILOT policy for Holyoke to adopt

HOLYOKE — During the Development and Governmental Relations Committee on March 11, a policy designed to gain revenue from tax-exempt property owners was presented by Mayor Joshua Garcia and Collins Center associate Stephen E. Cirillo.

Chicopee gathers to raise Polish Flag for St. Joseph’s Day

CHICOPEE — In one of the more well-attended flag raisings of the year, Chicopee hosted a celebration in honor of St. Joseph’s Day on March 19.

GoBerry to return to Northampton in April on Main Street

Neal talks Medicaid at Riverside Industries

EASTHAMPTON — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) visited Riverside Industries on March 18 to discuss the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on the First Congressional District.

Springfield conducts pinning ceremony for promoted officers

East Longmeadow police equipped with body cameras for transparency, accountability

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow police officers have a new tool to help them increase officer protection and accountability to the community. The department went live with body cameras on March 10.

Question of middle school capital costs far from settled for HWRSD

HAMPDEN — The Hampden Selectboard and Wilbraham Select Board met on March 19 to discuss a major sticking point in updating the regional agreement governing the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District: who will pay for upgrades at the middle school?

Fill the Food Bank returns for second year April 1

CHICOPEE — In collaboration with the Greater Westfield, Greater Holyoke, West of the River, ERC5/East of the River and Springfield Regional Chambers of Commerce, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the second annual Fill the Food Bank event on Tuesday, April 1 from 5-7 p.m.

St. Patrick’s Parade returns to Holyoke for 72nd year

HOLYOKE — The 72nd St. Patrick’s Parade made its way through the streets of Holyoke on a chilly but sunny day on March 23.

Cliff Clark

STGRSD budget contributions change for new fiscal year

SOUTHWICK — When Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District Superintendent Jennifer Willard presented the district’s fiscal year 2026 budget to the Finance Committee last week, she proposed increasing Southwick’s assessment to $13.01 million which represents an increase 7.1% from the previous year, while Tolland and Granville will be assessed less than a combined $189,423 from last year’s budget.

Tyler Garnet

South Hadley Selectboard approves budget, wastewater and trash increases

SOUTH HADLEY — At its March 18 meeting, the Select Board approved the fiscal year 2026 town budget as well as proposed increases to the wastewater and trash fees after discussing the items over the past few meetings.

Sarah Heinonen

DPW director talks water infrastructure, capital projects

WILBRAHAM — Voters at the spring Town Meeting will decide whether to approve DPW projects, including if the town should borrow up to $4 million for water infrastructure.

Ryan Feyre

Agawam City Council authorizes SOIs for four elementary school roofs

AGAWAM — The town of Agawam wants to replace the roofs of its four elementary schools over the next few years, but first, they are asking the Massachusetts School Building Authority for funding.

Sarah Heinonen

East Longmeadow Town Council to continue Finance Oversight Committee use, with stipulations

EAST LONGMEADOW — As a decision on the fiscal year 2026 budget approaches, the East Longmeadow Town Council discussed whether to eschew the use of the Financial Oversight Committee or continue with past practices.

Cliff Clark

Southwick Select Board formally approves special permit for cannabis retailer

SOUTHWICK — The Planning Board’s decision to approve the site plan and special permit for the Pioneer Valley Trading Co. Tuesday was the culmination of a nearly two-year process to allow two recreational marijuana retailers to open in town.

Local Headlines

U.S. Postal Workers protest possible privatization

Local officials come out for White Oak School celebration

Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Bridge replacement hearing set for April 3

Springfield Carpark to be fully operational by end of month

Mass. legislators explore Canadian hydropower as energy solution

Amy Porter

Littleville Elementary students study the birds around them

HUNTINGTON — Littleville Elementary spent the month of February learning about citizen science and birds from around the area, said reading specialist Margaret Petzold.

Trent Levakis

New Forbes outdoor stage to break ground by end of March

NORTHAMPTON — Forbes Library will be breaking ground for its new outdoor performance stage by the end of March, with construction set to be completed in June and the stage ready for use by late summer.

Trent Levakis

Magic for Maddie rises above the rim for pediatric cancer research

SOUTHAMPTON — Norris Elementary School will host the third annual Magic for Maddie 3v3 basketball tournament on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, in what has become a slam dunk of an effort to raise funds in support of pediatric cancer research.

Trent Levakis

Applicants wanted for CitySpace’s Pay It Forward program

EASTHAMPTON — CitySpace’s Pay It Forward program is open once again and performers and arts organizations are encouraged to apply for the opportunity for free space, a stipend, skill building and stage access.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield hosts flag raising to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield honored St. Patrick’s Day with a special flag raising and ceremony on the front steps of City Hall.

Sarah Heinonen

Children’s book shares event that brought Passover to the White House

AGAWAM — A new children’s book about traditions, learning from other cultures and bringing people together was released this month, just in time for Passover.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Trent Levakis

Easthampton artist debuts latest exhibit in Westfield

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Athenaeum celebrated local artist Kim Carlino on March 13 with an opening reception for her latest exhibit.

Tyler Garnet

Pickleball Kingdom set to open first Mass. location in Holyoke

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Mall will be getting a new addition that is not a new food spot or shopping store, but instead a popular activity: pickleball.

Trent Levakis

Old Sturbridge Village puts out call to artists for this year’s CowParade

A call for artists has been sent out for interested artists to apply to participate in the 2025 CowParade at Old Sturbridge Village.

Sarah Heinonen

‘Fences’ explores complexities of family, generational trauma

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Family. Responsibility. Regret. While these themes are on display in the latest stage production in the Majestic Theater’s 2024-2025 season, “Fences,” at its core, August Wilson’s 1985 play is a story about generational trauma, the lifelong impacts of segregation and racism, and the constant war between the experiences of the past and hope for the future.

Trent Levakis

Wingstop adds another chicken option to city, where does it rank?

While the origin of chicken wings can be much debated, the item and its lore in America has cemented the food as an easy and reliable delicacy to cover in sauces and stuff in our faces during football games, and sometimes just after a long day.

Trent Levakis

‘Quilts of Edjohnetta Miller’ on display through April 1

WESTFIELD — In a celebration of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Westfield on Weekends will continue its Journey Stories series through featuring the “Quilts of Edjohnetta Miller” from Feb. 20 through April 5 at its center at 105 Elm St.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor