SOUTH HADLEY — Amidst possible cuts to the budget in fiscal year 2027, South Hadley Public Schools Superintendent Jenn Voyik gave a projected budget update during the Jan. 21 School Committee meeting.

AGAWAM — Agawam schools have a diverse multilingual population of nearly 300 students who speak nearly 30 different languages.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke recognized Black History Month with a flag-raising ceremony on Feb. 2 at City Hall followed by a Gospel music performance later that evening at Bethlehem Baptist Community Church.

SOUTHWICK — It’s still early, but the town is getting prepared to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial, which the Select Board discussed briefly at its meeting on Jan. 26.

HUNTINGTON — On Saturday, Jan. 17, five Gateway Regional students joined eighth graders from across the commonwealth to begin their year as 2026 Project 351 ambassadors.

SOUTHWICK — While the chair of the Planning Board threw cold water on a Master Plan recommendation to limit new developments while the town’s zoning regulations are being updated, she agreed to talk more about it.

CHESTER — Chester Highway Superintendent Charles Dazelle, speaking on Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. after being at it for 33 hours straight, said the Jan. 25 storm cleanup overall went well.

SPRINGFIELD — Two lines of cheerleaders flanked the podium at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, rustling their blue and gold pom-poms as state Rep. Bud Williams stepped up to speak.

HUNTINGTON — Gateway Regional Superintendent Melissa Matarazzo provided an update and next steps regarding an incident on Jan. 20, in which a school bus delivering elementary school students in Chester went missing for approximately 90 minutes.

WESTFIELD — Principal Jesse McMillan said during a visit last week to Westfield Middle School, motivational speaker Terrence Lee Talley’s message of hope and resilience was well received.