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Feb 19, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Wilbraham

Wilbraham Select Board hears about budget unknowns for FY26

WILBRAHAM — Unknown factors are creating complications for Wilbraham when drafting its fiscal year 2026 budget. At the Feb. 10 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Nick Breault said he and Treasurer/Collector Barbara Hancock reviewed some of those problematic line items.

Feb 19, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield

Refugees, service providers struggle amid funding freeze

SPRINGFIELD — When people immigrate to the United States, religious organizations, such as Catholic Charities and Church World Services, are often the primary point of contact, working with the federal and state governments to provide a support system while immigrants and refugees get settled.

Feb 18, 2025 | Local Headlines, Local News, Westfield

Annual spring gardening seminars slated for March 29

WESTFIELD — Don’t let any lingering snow on the ground fool you. It’s time for garden lovers to think spring.

Council, Planning Board OK zoning changes, reject 40R

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow Town Council met with the Planning Board on Feb. 11 to discuss the progress made by the Center Town District Steering Committee.

Traffic amendment approved after two objections

WEST SPRINGFIELD — After objecting to a proposed traffic rule on Woodmont Street twice, the Town Council approved the proposal at its Feb. 3 meeting.

Westfield High School senior named 2025 Sons of Erin colleen

WESTFIELD — At the end of an evening of good food, music by The Bards, camaraderie and glamour at the Tekoa Country Club on Feb. 7, 10 contestants competing in the Sons of Erin Colleen Ball took to the runway while Master of Ceremonies Bo Sullivan recounted their accomplishments. The moment then came to name the 2025 colleen and her court.

Meeting in Huntington raises old, newer concerns

HUNTINGTON — State Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket) and state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) hosted a filled town hall meeting at Stanton Hall on Feb. 11 to hear from residents of the hilltowns about issues of concern to them.

Soto discusses joint statement affirming the rights of immigrants

HOLYOKE — Mayor Joshua Garcia and interim Superintendent/Receiver Anthony Soto sent a letter to the community to ensure and protect the rights of all Holyoke residents and employees.

Chicopee observes Black History Month with flag raising

CHICOPEE — Even on the rainy and snowy morning, many gathered in Chicopee City Hall to observe Black History Month with a flag raising ceremony on Feb. 13.

Springfield City Council approves funding for new police technology

SPRINGFIELD — In an attempt to bring the Police Department’s technology into the 21st century, the City Council approved a funding package of $7.2 million to upgrade the department’s technology.

Springfield City Council passes resolution in support of all Liberians living in U.S.

SPRINGFIELD — The City Council unanimously passed a resolution during its Feb. 10 meeting that supports the inclusion of all Liberians living in the United States facing mass deportation and an emergency injunctive relief lawsuit.

Springfield St. Patrick’s Committee names Dziedzic colleen

SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Springfield St. Patrick’s Parade Committee announced that Ayslin Dziedzic of Longmeadow, would be this year’s colleen.

95-year-old retires from LPS after 50 years in the district

LONGMEADOW — It is not every day that state legislators praise and celebrate someone for doing their job. Then again, most people do not spend 50 years working for the same school department.

Sarah Heinonen

Wilbraham Planning Board debates requirements for accessory dwelling units

WILBRAHAM — Accessory dwelling units, such as tiny homes and in-law apartments, were again a topic of discussion at the Feb. 12 Wilbraham Planning Board meeting.

Sarah Heinonen

Longmeadow School Committee says budget is partly due to low state aid

LONGMEADOW — After a public hearing and several weeks of review, the Longmeadow School Committee voted on Feb. 11 to send a budget request of $44.85 million to the town manager ahead of the town budget presentation to the Select Board on March 3.

Tyler Garnet

Volunteers needed for Envision Our Chicopee

CHICOPEE — During the Feb. 4 City Council meeting, the council approved an order to establish an Envision Our Chicopee: 2040 implementation committee to oversee the implementation of the items delineated in the comprehensive plan and conduct activities as described in the action plan.

Trent Levakis

Northampton appoints new Division of Community Care head

NORTHAMPTON — The city of Northampton has announced the appointment of Donaven “Don” Gibbs as the new Director of the Division of Community Care within the city’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Ryan Feyre

Springfield City Council backs resolution in support of school bus camera bill

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council unanimously approved a resolution in support of a bill signed by Gov. Maura Healey in early January that aims to enhance the safety of school children who ride the bus daily.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee School Committee discusses time change and potential repairs

CHICOPEE — At the Feb. 5 School Committee meeting, the committee discussed a potential time change for its regular meetings going forward and the Massachusetts School Building Authority accelerated repair program.

Local Headlines

Wilbraham Select Board hears about budget unknowns for FY26

Refugees, service providers struggle amid funding freeze

Annual spring gardening seminars slated for March 29

Tenants association shines light on spike to rent

Springfield City Council extends residency requirement for municipal employees to two years

Sarah Heinonen

Christopher Beecher named next fire chief

EAST LONGMEADOW — At the Feb. 11 meeting of the East Longmeadow Town Council, Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Beecher was promoted to the position of chief.

Amy Porter

Departure of elementary principal raises concerns for families

HUNTINGTON — At the start of the Gateway Regional School Committee meeting on Feb. 12, which was moved to the Performing Arts Center due to the 100 residents that attended, Chair Jason Forgue asked for a motion to extend public participation to 30 minutes, instead of the 15 minutes normally allotted.

Tyler Garnet

Flag raising, storytelling part of Black History Month ceremony

HOLYOKE — Holyoke recognized Black History Month, which is observed every February, with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 12, followed by a storytelling program at the Holyoke Public Library.

Trent Levakis

State Rep. Sabadosa looks ahead to 2025 and beyond

NORTHAMPTON — In following up with local state legislators, Reminder Publishing spoke with state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) to discuss the year ahead, after her reelection to the role last November.

Tyler Garnet

Holyoke City Council approves resolution decrying comedian’s Puerto Rico joke

HOLYOKE — During the Jan. 21 City Council meeting, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution presented by City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos condemning the statement made by Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe at a Donald Trump political rally in October 2024.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee City Hall access plan changes with renovations

CHICOPEE — Chicopee announced the beginning of construction on the second phase of improvements to Chicopee City Hall and City Hall Annex are set to begin and construction activities will cause for a temporary access plan.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Miasha Lee

Local theater celebrates 40 years of curtain calls

LUDLOW — On March 22, Exit 7 Theater will have its 40th celebration Gala at the Ludlow Country Club from 6-10 p.m. The gala will include a red-carpet event. Guests must be 18 and up to attend. Tickets are $60 per person. There will be a dinner buffet, dancing, photo booth and multiple raffles.

Ryan Feyre

Fat Tuesday Jazz Night to capture Mardi Gras spirit

SPRINGFIELD — People seeking a taste of the Mardi Gras spirit can find it at 52 Sumner Ave. on Feb. 22.

Ryan Feyre

What I’m eating: Sweet, savory and succulent chicken and waffles

WILBRAHAM — If my increasingly fragile stomach allowed, I could have chicken and waffles every other day for the rest of my life. When done right, the meal is that good.

Matt Conway

What I’m Watching: A romantic comedy extravaganza

My girlfriend and I recently embarked on an epic quest — a binge-watching voyage through the schmaltzy romantic comedy world. Many may jeer at the thought of rom-coms; they are labeled as disposable, artificial and contrived by countless detractors.

Trent Levakis

Suffield Players to present ‘A Few Good Men’

SUFFIELD — Starting in February the Suffield Players will present a production of Aaron Sorkin’s acclaimed court room drama “A Few Good Men” at Mapleton Hall.

Provisions

Provisions Picks: two big California reds from Bedrock

As we enter the cold, dark days of winter, it is time to talk about a category that has become somewhat unfashionable lately: big California reds.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor

Treatment of Board of Assessors members

The past three editions of the Reminder contained letters from Longmeadow residents about the shameful treatment two...

Letters to the Editor

Questions about HWRSD asking for more money

This is in regards to “HWRSD pleads case for more ed funds.” I would like to remind everyone that this is the very same school department that IMMEDIATELY after giving us not one, not two, but three override votes they wouldn’t even initially close Thornton Burgess to save money.

Letters to the Editor

Thanks from the Senior Center

The Friends of Hampden Senior Citizens would like to thank everybody for the wonderful donations that came in for our Holiday Shop til you Drop Sale and all of you who did Shop our Holiday Sale – you helped raise over $1,350 for the benefit of our Senior Center; we are so grateful.

Lauren LeBel

New role, new area, new beginnings for me at The Reminder

Since starting at The Reminder, I dreamed of one day having my own opinion column in the paper. Well, it looks like that day is finally here and I could not be more excited!

Chris Maza

Senator is right — it’s time for Legislature to reassess priorities

Food, housing (both cost and inventory) and heating costs are among basic living expenses putting a squeeze on middle class families. Meanwhile, school districts and departments are threatening significant reductions and funding for roads has remained stagnant while inflation has not.

Letters to the Editor