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Springfield man charged with 16 counts of sexual assault, including rape

Jun 3, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Springfield, Westfield

Springfield man charged with 16 counts of sexual assault, including rape

WESTFIELD — A Springfield man, who was a bus monitor for a company that provides transportation for people with physical and mental disabilities, was charged on May 20 in District Court on 16 counts of sexual assault, including two rapes, that occurred on a company bus involving a woman described as intellectually disabled, according to court documents.

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Council approves Sarno’s $985.7M budget with no layoffs or service cuts

SPRINGFIELD — After much discussion about property tax relief and revenue generators, the City Council approved Mayor Domenic Sarno’s $985.7 million fiscal year 2026 budget during a special meeting on May 27.

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Three major drug trafficking networks dismantled

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County District Attorney’s office recently announced that three major drug trafficking investigations in Western Massachusetts yielded 52 arrests, 45 firearms and over 37 kilograms of drugs.

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Southwick turns out for Memorial Day services

SOUTHWICK — On Memorial Day the nation stops to pay tribute to those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military, and the residents of Southwick joined their fellow citizens to give their own thanks for their sacrifice.

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2025 class called ‘future of aviation’

WESTFIELD — After welcoming everyone to the Aviation Maintenance Technology program graduation for the Class of 2025, department head Galen Wilson acknowledged fellow Aviation instructors Scott Hepburn, Christopher Chaves and Timothy Pfau and Aviation Advisory Board chair Kenneth Dromgold.

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Holyoke unveils mural of beloved community leader

HOLYOKE — Holyoke honored a community leader with an unveiling event on May 27 to showcase a new public mural honoring Betty Medina Lichtenstein, a beloved and trailblazing community figure and advocate for Holyoke’s most marginalized youth and families for over four decades.

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Brow eyeing rebrand for new restaurant at Wyckoff Country Club

HOLYOKE — The newly renovated Wyckoff Country Club will feature a rebranded restaurant with Chef Andrew Brow bringing his award-winning flavors to The Heritage Greens.

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Districts meet with education secretary

NORTHAMPTON — Massachusetts Education Secretary and interim Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Dr. Patrick Tutwiler visited Northampton High School on May 27 to meet and hear from the students and representatives from several Western Mass. districts about their concerns on proper school funding.

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West Side celebrates annual concert series

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield’s Morgan Road Pavilion and Eastern States Exposition will once again be home to one of the town’s most prized summer pastimes.

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Springfield City Council approves honorary street sign for Leonard Naylor

SPRINGFIELD — Labeled a “remarkable leader” whose legacy and community service to Springfield spans 38 years, Bishop Leonard Naylor will be honored by the city with his own street in the coming days.

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Garcia proposes budget after State of City address

HOLYOKE — Mayor Joshua A. Garcia gave his fourth annual State of the City address at the Holyoke Special City Council meeting on May 13, which included his proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.

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Tyler Garnet

First Holyoke Paper Festival set for June 7

HOLYOKE — Residents and neighboring community members are invited to celebrate creativity, innovation and the legacy of The Paper City at the first Holyoke Paper Festival, taking place Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at De La Luz Soundstage at LightHouse, 114 Race St.

Cliff Clark

Southwick Town Meeting approves pickleball courts at Whalley Park

SOUTHWICK — After nearly three hours, the four articles on the warrant for Town Meeting asking for a decision on several Community Preservation Committee allocations came up and each passed, including the request by the Parks and Recreation Commission to build six pickleball courts at Whalley Park, but there were questions about the courts’ cost.

First Holyoke Paper Festival set for June 7

By Tyler Garnet | Jun 3, 2025

HOLYOKE — Residents and neighboring community members are invited to celebrate creativity, innovation and the legacy of The Paper City at the first Holyoke Paper Festival, taking place Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at De La Luz Soundstage at LightHouse, 114 Race St.

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Local Headlines

Tyler Garnet

RiverMills Senior Center unveils Veteran’s Hallway

CHICOPEE — Memorial Day is a time to remember those who lost their lives fighting for our country’s freedom. Chicopee observed that concept on May 23 with the Harvey Lafleur Veteran’s Hallway dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony inside the RiverMills Senior Center.

Amy Porter

Westfield baseball historian publishes third book in series

WESTFIELD — Local baseball historian Dan Genovese has published the third book in his series on the roots of baseball in Westfield. “The Old Ball Ground: Volume 3 — Whip City Baseball in the Rock ‘n Roll Era,” covers the ’40s through ’70s, with the start of rock and roll in the background.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Dennis Hackett

Dine Springfield Restaurant Week returns June 6

SPRINGFIELD — With Dine Springfield Restaurant Week set to return for its ninth year from June 6-15, Reminder Publishing was invited to sample some of the offerings that local restaurants will have available that week at a taste test at the Springfield Marriot on May 21.

Sarah Heinonen

Baby goat yoga connects people with nature, baa-dy and soul

SOUTHWICK — Heading down a long driveway in Southwick, the first thing people notice is the sound of soft bleating emanating from behind a barn. Walking around a path, you see them — animals no larger than a small dog hopping and trotting around in a fenced-in pasture. It is time for baby goat yoga.

Opinion