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So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

May 22, 2026 | Amherst, Belchertown, Chicopee, Hampden County, Holyoke, Local News, Springfield, Westfield

So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sat down with Holyoke Pride Committee members Jeffery Bianche and Jeffrey Anderson-Burgos, while Chris Maza and Dennis Hackett sat down with Springfield Pride Parade Founder and CEO Taurean Bethea to chat about what’s in store for Pride Month in their respective communities.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

May 22, 2026 | Hampden County, Holyoke, Local News

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

HOLYOKE — Kmart Plaza may soon have new tenants and a fresh look after Mayor Joshua Garcia announced the developer’s plan for the space at 2201 Northampton St.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

May 22, 2026 | Agawam, Hampden County, Local News

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council and Alfred Pajer, owner of Pajer Superette, 400 Cooper St., struck a compromise regarding the planned roadway upgrades at the intersection of Cooper, Suffield and Rowley streets.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

HOLYOKE — Kmart Plaza may soon have new tenants and a fresh look after Mayor Joshua Garcia announced the developer’s plan for the space at 2201 Northampton St.

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

NORTHAMPTON — To mark half a century as a staple of the Northampton music community, Downtown Sounds Workers Co-op is hosting a 50th anniversary celebration event on Monday, June 1, at the Iron Horse.

Holyoke’s inaugural Lupus Awareness Walk to take place on May 31

HOLYOKE — Community members, families, advocates and local organizations will come together on Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. for the first Holyoke Lupus Awareness Walk at the city’s Heritage State Park on 221 Appleton St.

Look Park to host Community Tag Sale

NORTHAMPTON — Look Park will blossom on May 30 from 1-7 p.m. thanks to its Community Tag Sale at Springtacular Festival event, which will feature an afternoon of community gathering and family fun for all.

West Springfield Town Council hears details on fiscal year 2027 budget

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt is emphasizing the town’s strong financial position after releasing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Springfield City Council reviews school, police budget proposals

SPRINGFIELD — On the first day of the City Council’s budget review process, councilors reviewed the budget requests of two of the city’s largest departments: schools and police.

Steffenhagen looks to modernize department as Chicopee’s new city auditor

CHICOPEE — The Chicopee City Council has appointed Tiana Steffenhagen as the new city auditor, tasking the official with overseeing municipal finances, conducting independent reviews of city spending and ensuring transparency and accountability across all departments.

Historical Commission sets date for 2026-2076 time capsule kickoff

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow is preparing to dig up the past and replant a part of the present day as the town’s time capsule events rapidly approach.

Sarah Heinonen

EMTs, paramedics graduate from AMR’s Earn While You Learn

SPRINGFIELD — American Medical Response, an emergency medical services provider, graduated a class of emergency medical technicians and paramedics from its Earn While You Learn program.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield City Councilors debate whether to mandate in-person meetings

SPRINGFIELD — A resolution by Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin requiring councilors to attend meetings in person caused some fiery debate in the council chambers on May 18.

Trent Levakis

Workhub on Union seeks artists for new exhibits

EASTHAMPTON — Artists in the region who want their work featured now have a new opportunity to do so.

Sarah Heinonen

Half of Veritas Prep seniors to graduate with diploma, college degrees

SPRINGFIELD — Next month, the inaugural class of seniors will graduate from Veritas Prep Charter Public School.

Miasha Lee

New organization brings Juneteenth celebrations to Enfield

ENFIELD — Kuumba Kiongozi Black Legacy, Arts & Culture, a new nonprofit organization, will be hosting its first event, Strawberries and the African Diaspora: Celebrating Juneteenth.

Amy Porter

CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars to award record $363,500

WESTFIELD — Board President Cynthia Neary said CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars will award a record-breaking $363,500 in scholarships to 137 deserving students at a ceremony on May 27 at Westfield Middle School.

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

Holyoke’s inaugural Lupus Awareness Walk to take place on May 31

By Tyler Garnet | May 21, 2026

Look Park to host Community Tag Sale

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

West Springfield Town Council hears details on fiscal year 2027 budget

By Peter Tuohy | May 21, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt is emphasizing the town’s strong financial position after releasing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Springfield City Council reviews school, police budget proposals

By Sarah Heinonen | May 21, 2026

SPRINGFIELD — On the first day of the City Council’s budget review process, councilors reviewed the budget requests of two of the city’s largest departments: schools and police.

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

Holyoke’s inaugural Lupus Awareness Walk to take place on May 31

By Tyler Garnet | May 21, 2026

Look Park to host Community Tag Sale

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

West Springfield Town Council hears details on fiscal year 2027 budget

By Peter Tuohy | May 21, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt is emphasizing the town’s strong financial position after releasing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Springfield City Council reviews school, police budget proposals

By Sarah Heinonen | May 21, 2026

SPRINGFIELD — On the first day of the City Council’s budget review process, councilors reviewed the budget requests of two of the city’s largest departments: schools and police.

Steffenhagen looks to modernize department as Chicopee’s new city auditor

By Tyler Garnet | May 21, 2026

East Longmeadow Farmers’ Market grows into a community tradition

Westfield-West Springfield Elks honor 19 for annual youth week

No contested races for Longmeadow town election

Ribbon cut for new Chauncey Allen Park pavilion and arboretum

Springfield honors its fallen police officers with ceremony

Tyler Garnet

South Hadley Town Meeting members approve most articles, including $1.2M for town departments

SOUTH HADLEY — Although the precarious budget situation dominated the night, Town Meeting members also approved other crucial articles during the Annual Town Meeting on May 13.

Cliff Clark

Westfield City Council approves settlement with officers who alleged wage theft

WESTFIELD — On May 7, the City Council approved an appropriation of $112,500 to settle a lawsuit brought by 17 Westfield Police Department officers against the city.

Peter Tuohy

Squindo retains Select Board seat following Wilbraham election

WILBRAHAM — Voters filed into Minnechaug Regional High School for Wilbraham’s town election on May 16 and the results are in.

Cliff Clark

Westfield Municipal Light Board compensation not discussed at last meeting

WESTFIELD — The unique compensation package for the members of the city’s Municipal Light Board will remain as is after the board was told by Westfield Gas & Electric’s legal counsel that it needed “no further discussion.”

Peter Tuohy

Eight incumbents win new terms during Hampden election

HAMPDEN — The Hampden election results are in and show that not much will be changing within the town’s elected officials.

Cliff Clark

Deedy scores decisive win over Gale for Southwick Select Board

SOUTHWICK — While three of the last four elections for the open seat on the Select Board were decided by fewer than 83 votes, Joseph Deedy’s drubbing of incumbent board member Diane Gale will stand out as one of the most lopsided wins in recent years.

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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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