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Proposed Holyoke Data Center causes heated debate

Jun 9, 2026 | Hampden County, Holyoke, Local News

Proposed Holyoke Data Center causes heated debate

HOLYOKE — A proposed data center at the former Hampden Paper Complex on Water Street has sparked debate in Holyoke after the City Council discussed a zoning amendment to ban the facilities during its June 2 meeting.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Holyoke City Council approves sewer rate increase for FY27

Jun 8, 2026 | Hampden County, Holyoke, Local News

Holyoke City Council approves sewer rate increase for FY27

HOLYOKE — Holyoke residents can expect to pay more for their sewer bill after the City Council approved a sewer rate of $8.76 per 1,000 gallons used, an increase from $7.50, during its June 2 meeting.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Chicopee City Council votes down mandatory in-person meetings

Jun 8, 2026 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Local News

Chicopee City Council votes down mandatory in-person meetings

CHICOPEE — A proposed order that Zoom participation would be only allowed for illness and emergencies at City Council meetings was voted down after a lengthy discussion during the June 2 meeting.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Proposed Holyoke Data Center causes heated debate

Holyoke City Council approves sewer rate increase for FY27

Chicopee City Council votes down mandatory in-person meetings

CHICOPEE — A proposed order that Zoom participation would be only allowed for illness and emergencies at City Council meetings was voted down after a lengthy discussion during the June 2 meeting.

Scantic River Artisans rings in summer with June art show

HAMPDEN — Scantic River Artisans is preparing for its rapidly approaching June show, featuring original art handpicked by a team of professional painters to ensure buyers a high-quality purchase.

School Committee approves using free cash to fund three positions in FY27

SOUTH HADLEY — The School Committee approved funding three positions with free cash during its June 3 meeting that Superintendent Jennifer Voyik said will maximize the district’s potential in fiscal year 2027.

Thompson parts from East Longmeadow School Committee after nearly 20 years

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow School Committee member and former Chair Gregory Thompson is saying goodbye after choosing not to run for reelection in this year’s election.

Public meeting outlines plans for Chicopee battery storage facility

CHICOPEE — Representatives from Silo Electric, Uriel Renewables and other stakeholders hosted a public meeting on June 4 to discuss plans for a new battery storage facility located at 425 Meadow St. that is set to begin operating in July.

West Springfield Town Council passes fiscal year 2027 budget

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council has closed out the budgeting season with unanimous approval for fiscal year 2027.

Wild foraging walk and talk offered by SHAEC in Chester

CHESTER — The Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center is offering a free Wild Foraging Walk and Talk by local wild edible expert Felix Lufkin. The class is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10, at 6 p.m., and will meet at SHAEC’s Chester classroom at 26 Main St. in Chester.

Flock cameras cause privacy concerns for Agawam residents

AGAWAM — Picture this: It is rush hour on a weekday. Thousands of vehicles travel city streets to and from their destinations.

Amy Porter

Westfield skate park contract awarded; construction begins July 1

WESTFIELD — Mayor Michael A. McCabe announced that construction on the long-awaited rebuild of the Westfield Skate Park is set to commence in early July following a successful bid process.

Peter Tuohy

Richards reflects on career before saying farewell to East Longmeadow Town Council

EAST LONGMEADOW — After a career that spanned over 40 years in East Longmeadow town government, Councilor Marilyn Richards is bidding adieu at the end of June.

Trent Levakis

Northampton Parents Center Tag Sale fundraiser to take place June 13

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Parents Center Tag Sale fundraiser is back for another round on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield unveils renovated Blunt Park fields, walking track

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield leadership has continued its work to improve the city’s neighborhood parks, with the unveiling of renovated grounds at Blunt Park.

Cliff Clark

PVTA/FRTA adds new Southwick route to bus schedule

SPRINGFIELD — Fulfilling one of the recommendations in the Master Plan and with the support of the Select Board, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, in partnership with the Franklin Regional Transit Authority, launched a new public transit route that includes Southwick.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield marks 15 years since tornado

SPRINGFIELD — At exactly 4:38 p.m. on a pleasant and sunny June 1, the bell of Old First Church in Court Square rang 15 times, one for each year since a devastating EF3 tornado carved a path of destruction through the city of Springfield and nine other communities.

Scantic River Artisans rings in summer with June art show

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 8, 2026

HAMPDEN — Scantic River Artisans is preparing for its rapidly approaching June show, featuring original art handpicked by a team of professional painters to ensure buyers a high-quality purchase.

School Committee approves using free cash to fund three positions in FY27

By Tyler Garnet | Jun 8, 2026

Thompson parts from East Longmeadow School Committee after nearly 20 years

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 8, 2026

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow School Committee member and former Chair Gregory Thompson is saying goodbye after choosing not to run for reelection in this year’s election.

Public meeting outlines plans for Chicopee battery storage facility

By Tyler Garnet | Jun 8, 2026

West Springfield Town Council passes fiscal year 2027 budget

By Chris Maza | Jun 5, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council has closed out the budgeting season with unanimous approval for fiscal year 2027.

Scantic River Artisans rings in summer with June art show

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 8, 2026

HAMPDEN — Scantic River Artisans is preparing for its rapidly approaching June show, featuring original art handpicked by a team of professional painters to ensure buyers a high-quality purchase.

School Committee approves using free cash to fund three positions in FY27

By Tyler Garnet | Jun 8, 2026

Thompson parts from East Longmeadow School Committee after nearly 20 years

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 8, 2026

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow School Committee member and former Chair Gregory Thompson is saying goodbye after choosing not to run for reelection in this year’s election.

Public meeting outlines plans for Chicopee battery storage facility

By Tyler Garnet | Jun 8, 2026

West Springfield Town Council passes fiscal year 2027 budget

By Chris Maza | Jun 5, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council has closed out the budgeting season with unanimous approval for fiscal year 2027.

Wild foraging walk and talk offered by SHAEC in Chester

By Amy Porter | Jun 5, 2026

Westfield City Council approves first reading for electric bike regs

Budget concerns dominate Easthampton City Council meeting ahead of override vote

Sarno threatens to end free buses after Union Station incident

Residents push for rent control, participatory budget process

Youth Commission structure would leave City Council in the cold

Peter Tuohy

Longmeadow voters once again say no to fiber through override

LONGMEADOW — The unofficial election results are in for Longmeadow’s annual town election on June 2, which saw no contested races but did make an attempt at a Proposition 2½ override to continue the chance of a town-owned fiber internet network.

Peter Tuohy

Unofficial election results show tight victory for East Longmeadow Town Council

EAST LONGMEADOW — It was a three-way race for two open spots in the East Longmeadow Town Council, and the unofficial results from the June 2 election show a victory by only 15 votes.

Trent Levakis

Salsa series returns to heat up summer in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — In an effort to fill the streets with a lively atmosphere through music and dance, the Salsa in the Plaza and Salsa in the Park series will return to downtown Northampton this summer.

Tyler Garnet

Aurora’s Pizzeria reopens with a new location near previous one

CHICOPEE — Aurora’s Pizzeria has a new home down the road from its old storefront, and to celebrate, it hosted a grand reopening ceremony on June 2 at its new 1782 Westover Road location.

Trent Levakis

Northampton Juneteenth Celebration set for June 6

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Juneteenth Festival is returning to the EJ Gare Plaza on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in another year of the vital community gathering dedicated to honoring Black liberation and excellence.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee School Committee approves $139.4M budget for FY27

CHICOPEE — The School Committee approved an approximately $139.4 million fiscal year 2027 budget during its June 1 meeting, an increase from $136.7 in FY26.

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Trent Levakis

Paradise City Arts Festival returns for 31st year later this month

NORTHAMPTON — The nation’s premier destination for lovers of the handmade and high-end is once again gracing the region over Memorial Day weekend.

Trent Levakis

New theater group introduces itself with first production

EASTHAMPTON — In an effort to bring fresh, queer and gender diverse stories to the local theater scene, a new theater group, Why’s It Gotta Be?, has formed here in Western Massachusetts.

Ryan Feyre

Scoreboard oozes traditional sports bar feel at every corner

AGAWAM — No matter the season, an avid sports fan such as myself usually spends my weekends on the lookout for the perfect spot to watch the game.

Dennis Hackett

The Best Damn Sandwich: BBQ panini from Krave in East Longmeadow

EAST LONGMEADOW — Having worked exclusively in East Longmeadow over the past year, I have come to appreciate the town’s many lunch stops. I am happy to report that another excellent spot recently opened its doors.

Tyler Garnet

Historic Deerfield announces schedule for Revolution’s

DEERFIELD — As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Historic Deerfield’s 2026 season is centered on bringing the Revolutionary era to life as a lived, local experience in Western Massachusetts.

Sarah Heinonen

Forbes Library hosts wide-ranging fiber arts exhibit by The Fiberistas

NORTHAMPTON — The Hosmer Gallery on the second floor of Northampton’s Forbes Library is awash in colors and textures. Nine women have put their heart and soul — and thread — into a fiber art exhibit, “Bits and Pieces.”

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