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Candidates for Southwick Select Board address issues

May 8, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Southwick

Candidates for Southwick Select Board address issues

SOUTHWICK — Current Select Board member Diane Gale is running for a second three-year term on the board and is squaring off against former Select Board member Joseph Deedy. The election will be held on Tuesday, May 12.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

Agawam City Council supports utility legislation to spur competition

May 8, 2026 | Agawam, Hampden County, Local News

Agawam City Council supports utility legislation to spur competition

AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting legislation to create “One Touch Make Ready” applications in Massachusetts.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Residents’ input needed as Southwick reorganizes zoning bylaws

May 8, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Southwick

Residents’ input needed as Southwick reorganizes zoning bylaws

SOUTHWICK — For over six months, the Planning Board has been working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to reorganize the town’s bylaws, which have been described as awkward due to a piecemeal approach the town has used for over 50 years.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

Candidates for Southwick Select Board address issues

Agawam City Council supports utility legislation to spur competition

AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting legislation to create “One Touch Make Ready” applications in Massachusetts.

Residents’ input needed as Southwick reorganizes zoning bylaws

John Ashley School data shows expansive academic growth in students

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The John Ashley School in West Springfield is working hard to ensure academic growth in the young students for the 2025-2026 school year and the data certainly proves it.

Easthampton mayor presents overview of challenging FY27 budget

EASTHAMPTON — At the May 6 Easthampton City Council meeting, Mayor Salem Derby presented an overview of two proposed budgets for fiscal year 2027 — one for if a $6.9 million override passes on June 9 and one for if it does not.

Westfield Earth Day cleanup collects over 100 bags of trash

WESTFIELD — Conservation Coordinator Nicholas Balick said the city’s 14th annual Earth Day cleanup on April 25 was extremely successful.

City Council approves Johnson’s capital improvement plan

AGAWAM — Mayor Christopher Johnson joined the City Council on May 4 to present a five-year capital improvement plan.

Southwick Select Board approves MassDOT program that monitors car speeds

SOUTHWICK — The Police Department was successful in getting a state grant from the state Department of Transportation to install several speed feedback signs at fixed locations and on two movable trailers to help manage roadway speeds and safety.

Workers’ rights groups honor those who died on the job

SPRINGFIELD — Framed black-and-white photos lined the lawn in front of Teamsters Local 404 on Progress Avenue. Each of them was in memory of a worker who died on the job.

Bow Bow Bash benefit concert to showcase young musical talent, support scholarship

NORTHAMPTON — A staple concert that doubles as a conduit for a good cause is coming back at the end of the month.

Amy Porter

Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe readying to open new space

WESTFIELD — Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe has been busy this winter preparing a new space in the basement of the First Congregational Church at 18 Broad St., directly behind its current store in Old Town Hall.

Tyler Garnet

South Hadley eyeing September for another tax override vote

SOUTH HADLEY — Residents may once again be asked to pay more in taxes in light of the fraught budget situation that the town is currently facing.

Amy Porter

HUNTINGTON — Several dozen Hilltown service providers gathered in Stanton Hall on April 30 to share information and look for ways to work together in the face of funding cuts and rising costs.

Ryan Feyre

So That Reminds Me: Gonzalez reacts to Baystate’s merger with Mercy

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health’s recent acquisition of Mercy Medical Center, set to become official on Nov. 1, is making waves throughout the region as people scramble to prepare for what this will mean for health care in Western Massachusetts.

Peter Tuohy

Longmeadow student wins Congressional Art Competition

LONGMEADOW — A Longmeadow High School student’s artwork is slated to hang on the walls of the U.S. Capitol for the next year after her victory in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition.

Tina Lesniak

Enfield Town Wide Tag Sale returns May 16

ENFIELD — The annual Enfield Town Wide Tag Sale is set to return on Saturday, May 16, offering residents and visitors alike a day filled with bargain hunting, community connection and charitable giving.

John Ashley School data shows expansive academic growth in students

By Peter Tuohy | May 8, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The John Ashley School in West Springfield is working hard to ensure academic growth in the young students for the 2025-2026 school year and the data certainly proves it.

Easthampton mayor presents overview of challenging FY27 budget

By Tina Lesniak | May 8, 2026

Westfield Earth Day cleanup collects over 100 bags of trash

By Amy Porter | May 8, 2026

WESTFIELD — Conservation Coordinator Nicholas Balick said the city’s 14th annual Earth Day cleanup on April 25 was extremely successful.

City Council approves Johnson’s capital improvement plan

By Sarah Heinonen | May 8, 2026

AGAWAM — Mayor Christopher Johnson joined the City Council on May 4 to present a five-year capital improvement plan.

Southwick Select Board approves MassDOT program that monitors car speeds

By Cliff Clark | May 8, 2026

New theater group introduces itself with first production

By Trent Levakis | May 8, 2026

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.

John Ashley School data shows expansive academic growth in students

By Peter Tuohy | May 8, 2026

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The John Ashley School in West Springfield is working hard to ensure academic growth in the young students for the 2025-2026 school year and the data certainly proves it.

Easthampton mayor presents overview of challenging FY27 budget

By Tina Lesniak | May 8, 2026

Westfield Earth Day cleanup collects over 100 bags of trash

By Amy Porter | May 8, 2026

WESTFIELD — Conservation Coordinator Nicholas Balick said the city’s 14th annual Earth Day cleanup on April 25 was extremely successful.

City Council approves Johnson’s capital improvement plan

By Sarah Heinonen | May 8, 2026

AGAWAM — Mayor Christopher Johnson joined the City Council on May 4 to present a five-year capital improvement plan.

Southwick Select Board approves MassDOT program that monitors car speeds

By Cliff Clark | May 8, 2026

Foundations for Success to offer one-stop-shop for early childhood

Holyoke City Council appoints Allen as new city auditor

East Longmeadow resident takes home Howdy Award for transportation

Comedy night fundraiser to honor Ashton Conroy, support Blood Cancer United

Springfield Code Ninjas location builds skills beyond the keyboard

Sarah Heinonen

Proposed Springfield budget tops $1 billion for first time

SPRINGFIELD — For the first time, the Springfield city budget is expected to be more than $1 billion for fiscal year 2027.

Peter Tuohy

Longmeadow town manager creates budget task force to tackle future deficits

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow Town Manager Lyn Simmons is figuring out strategies for the town’s financial future, creating a budget task force to ensure long-term stability.

Sarah Heinonen

Fenton stages bid for District 8 seat on Governor’s Council

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield City Councilor Michael Fenton has announced that he will run against incumbent Tara Jacobs to represent Western Massachusetts on the Governor’s Council.

Peter Tuohy

Wilbraham solidifies list of articles ahead of Annual Town Meeting

WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham’s Annual Town Meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on May 11 at Minnechaug Regional High School and the warrant has been finalized.

Tyler Garnet

Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry receives check to combat food insecurity

CHICOPEE — In the midst of rampant food insecurity across the country, including here locally, Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry received a boost to help fight that very issue. On May 4, the organization accepted a $50,000 earmark from the state to augment its mission.

Peter Tuohy

Old Meeting House sets opening day for Hill Climb

WILBRAHAM — One of Wilbraham’s most historic buildings is preparing to open for the season in correlation with a tradition dating back to 1908.

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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.”

Trent Levakis

Academy of Music’s ‘Let’s Hear It!’ campaign aims to secure assisted listening device system

NORTHAMPTON — Those with auditory and visual disabilities may soon have the necessary equipment to fully enjoy live performances at the Academy of Music Theatre.

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