WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Info sessions, tours hosted as Longmeadow middle school project nears vote

LONGMEADOW — With two months to go before Longmeadow residents vote on whether to fund the new combined middle school, the Middle School Building Committee is hosting a series of informational sessions and school tours to make its case.

Residents ask about Longmeadow Community Electric at meeting

LONGMEADOW — It was standing-room-only in the conference room at the Longmeadow Town Offices on July 8 as more than 150 people came in person and another 70 attended online to ask questions about Longmeadow Community Electric.

BJ’s breaks ground at Springfield Crossing, expected to open this year

SPRINGFIELD — BJ’s Wholesale Club officially broke ground at 1655 Boston Rd. on July 8, just a few weeks after announcing its plans to open the new store later this year.

After Incarceration Support Systems office opens

HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke and Hampden County Sheriff’s Office hosted a press conference on July 9 to announce the launch of the After Incarceration Support Systems satellite office in Holyoke, a significant step in making life-changing support services more accessible to residents.

AJGA tournament returns to Chicopee

CHICOPEE — The American Junior Golf Association returned to the Chicopee Country Club for the seventh time for the FM Global Championship presented by the John D. Mineck Foundation.

‘Slavery and Freedom in Northampton’ exhibit opens

NORTHAMPTON — A new exhibit at Historic Northampton is highlighting the city’s history as it relates to slavery in “Slavery and Freedom in Northampton, 1654 to 1783.”

Eastern States Exposition unveils 2024 economic impact

WEST SPRINGFIELD — A recent study found that the Eastern States Exposition economic impact on Hampden County was $235 million in Gross Regional Product and a “record-breaking” $1.167 billion across New York and New England in 2024.

Food insecurity on the rise across local counties

A recent study by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham found that food insecurity continued to rise across the state, but especially in Western Massachusetts.

Hampden County overdoses slightly down in 2025

SPRINGFIELD — Substance use disorders are still a prevalent issue in Hampden County, but according to recent data from the Critical Incident Management System, some progress has been made.

East Longmeadow residents express concerns with proposed store, venue

EAST LONGMEADOW — A proposed building at 896 Somers Rd. brought about 40 residents to the East Longmeadow Planning Board meeting on July 1.

Huntington Summer Music Series kicks off

HUNTINGTON — Approximately 250 people set up on the town green July 10 to enjoy a performance by Guillemette Jr. performing as King & Kountry, for the kickoff of the 2025 Huntington Summer Music Series.

Changes coming to local gift shop, pottery studio

HUNTINGTON — The Gray Catbird Gift Shop at 22 East Main St. has moved next door to the Gray Catbird Pottery Studio under the new ownership of Sherri Church of Worthington, one of the over 70 local artists who has shown in the gift shop since it first opened in the Montgomery Marketplace. Dale Rogers will continue to run and expand the Gray Catbird Pottery Studio.

Holyoke Art partners with Art Pharmacy

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Art has officially joined Art Pharmacy, a groundbreaking arts-and-healthcare initiative designed to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing through non-clinical, creative experiences.

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Dining & Entertainment

What I’m playing: hands on with the Nintendo Switch 2

The launch of a new Nintendo console is always an exciting time, and I was lucky enough to be able to get my hands on Nintendo’s latest hardware, the Switch 2, on its launch day. As a lifelong Nintendo fan, the Switch 2 marks the first time I’ve been able to secure the latest Nintendo console on its launch day.

Gray Catbird Pottery Studio expands art class offerings

HUNTINGTON — This summer, Dale Rogers, owner of the Gray Catbird Gift Shop and Pottery Studio on 22 East Main St. is expanding art class offerings beyond pottery, with some of the 63 artists and artisans featured in the gift shop offering their talents to the public with step-by-step instruction.

Opinion