WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS.

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.

Summer concerts return to Summit House

SOUTH HADLEY — The Friends of the Mount Holyoke Range, a nonprofit environmental conservation organization founded in 1982, began the Summit House Sunset Concert Series in 1987, which is hosted in Skinner State Park’s historic Summit House.

Food pantry releases video to reaffirm its mission and needs

SOUTHWICK — With the need growing in town, Granville, and Tolland for food assistance, Our Community Food Pantry has released an educational video to explain its mission, needs, and reaffirm to the community it is a standalone organization that relies solely on the charity of those who want to make a difference for those who are less fortunate.

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