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May 13, 2025 | Hampden County, Hampshire County, Local Headlines, Local News, Worcester County

Opponents urge lawmakers to erase advantage of legacy admissions

BOSTON — Nearly two years after the Supreme Court ended race-conscious affirmative action college admissions policies, education reform advocates say its past time to also end the practice of allowing higher education institutions to give admissions preferences to relatives of alumni or high-paying donors.

Westfield School Committee tables vote on $75.5M budget

May 13, 2025 | Hampden County, Local Headlines, Local News, Westfield

Westfield School Committee tables vote on $75.5M budget

WESTFIELD — During the School Committee meeting on May 5, Finance Subcommittee Chair Bo Sullivan made a motion for approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget of $75.5 million, and then said his ultimate goal was not to vote on it tonight.

Easthampton among Climate Leadership Communities announced by state

May 13, 2025 | Easthampton, Hampshire County, Local Headlines, Local News

Easthampton among Climate Leadership Communities announced by state

EASTHAMPTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced the Department of Energy Resources, or DOER, has certified the first group of Climate Leader Communities for the state, and the city of Easthampton has made the cut.

Longmeadow voters approve some bylaw changes, reject others

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow voters considered several bylaw amendments, changes to the town charter and citizen petition articles at the spring Town Meeting on May 13. Most articles, including the town’s $87.38 million budget for fiscal year 2026, were passed without much comment, but several bylaw changes prompted debate.

East Longmeadow Farmers Market grows in size, vendor variety this season

EAST LONGMEADOW — Summer is growing season, and the East Longmeadow Farmers’ Market is growing, too.

Wilbraham voters approve capital expenses, reject meals tax

WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham voters considered the town’s budget, bylaws and citizen petition articles at its May 12 Town Meeting. While most items passed, it was not without debate.

Westfield’s Flat Fast 5K expected to be largest yet

WESTFIELD — The Run Westfield Flat Fast 5K is returning on May 17 for its 11th year and organizers are anticipating its biggest race day and community event yet.

Southwick Town Meeting warrant has 28 articles for residents to vote on

SOUTHWICK — When residents gather in the auditorium at Southwick Regional School on Tuesday, May 20, they will be asked to vote on 28 articles that include borrowing for road repairs, requested allocations by the Community Preservation Committee and two citizens’ petitions.

South Hadley exploring options for partially collapsed building

SOUTH HADLEY — Residents driving through the Falls may have seen the partially collapsed brick building at the corner of Carew and West Main Street. During the May 6 Selectboard meeting, Planning Director Anne Capra discussed updates to the property.

Holyoke celebrates Arbor Day and nature

HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and Eagle Eye Institute gathered at Holyoke Heritage State Park on May 7 to recognize and celebrate Arbor Day.

Jillian Duclos becomes third candidate for Northampton mayor

NORTHAMPTON — Former Downtown Northampton Association Executive Director Jillian Duclos has announced her bid for mayor of Northampton and said she hopes her campaign will unite Northampton voters and establish an improved level of communication across the city.

Lifelong Easthampton resident named next police chief

EASTHAMPTON — Chad Alexander, lifelong Easthampton resident and officer on the Police Department for over 20 years, has been selected to become the city’s next chief of police.

Sarno unveils over $985 million FY26 budget at City Hall

SPRINGFIELD — Despite continuous federal uncertainty, Mayor Domenic Sarno asserted that the city of Springfield continues to use “prudent fiscal management” when constructing its budget.

Sarah Heinonen

Agreement talks stall over Wilbraham Middle School capital costs

Talks between the leadership in Hampden and Wilbraham on proposed revisions to the regional agreement governing the schools have broken down. The sticking point hinges on who should pay for capital expenses at Wilbraham Middle School, which students from both towns attend.

Sarah Heinonen

Candidates for reelection dominate Hampden election ballot

HAMPDEN — Hampden is gearing up to its annual Town Election on Monday, May 19. Members of nearly all boards and committees in town are elected. All but three candidates are running for reelection and there are no contested races.

Tyler Garnet

Holyoke Fire Department receives safety education grants

HOLYOKE — The Healey-Driscoll administration announced that more than 300 Massachusetts fire departments, including Holyoke, will receive grants to support safety equipment for firefighters and life safety education for kids and older adults.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee City Council approves door-to-door sale ordinance to prevent scams

CHICOPEE — During its May 6 meeting, the City Council approved a new city ordinance that creates rules for door-to-door sales, which aims to protect vulnerable residents from scammers.

Trent Levakis

Easthampton council passes new citywide speed limit

EASTHAMPTON — After months of discussion in subcommittees, the Easthampton City Council voted to institute a 25 mph speed limit citywide in thickly settled business areas where the speed limit is not posted.

Trent Levakis

Override heads to ballot after Southampton Town Meeting vote

SOUTHAMPTON — Voters at Southampton’s May 6 Annual Town Meeting approved an $897,000 general override to cover unanticipated costs at Norris Elementary School, to prevent the loss of the equivalent of 10 full time positions.

Local Headlines

Opponents urge lawmakers to erase advantage of legacy admissions

Westfield School Committee tables vote on $75.5M budget

Easthampton among Climate Leadership Communities announced by state

Springfield School Committee approves $671 million budget

Concerns raised over federal asthma funding loss

Ryan Feyre

Hampden voters pass articles for Thornton W. Burgess, Fire Department repairs

HAMPDEN — A plethora of important articles passed Hampden voters during the annual Town Meeting on May 12, including three that allow the relocation of town offices to the former Thornton W. Burgess School on 85 Wilbraham Rd.

Sarah Heinonen

Select Board provides last chance to choose recycling cart size

LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow Select Board provided residents with a little extra time and choice around the new recycling carts required as part of the town’s contract with Waste Management, which begins July 1.

Sarah Heinonen

Longmeadow Planning Board discusses former church property changes

LONGMEADOW — The Planning Board reviewed plans and asked questions about a set of retail buildings planned for 916 Williams St. during a May 7 public hearing.

Amy Porter

Hull Forestlands withdraws Goss Hill gravel pit application in Huntington

HUNTINGTON — Bill Hull of Hull Forestlands Limited Partnership withdrew his application for a gravel pit on Goss Hill Road at a continued public hearing on May 6 at Stanton Hall.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee School Committee discusses proposed $132 million FY26 budget

CHICOPEE — During its May 5 meeting, Chicopee School’s Budget and Finance Director John Miarecki met with the School Committee to present the fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.

Ryan Feyre

Curran asks for new Western Mass. undersecretary of economic development

SPRINGFIELD — With the state in the midst of finding a permanent economic development secretary, Springfield City Councilor Sean Curran is asking Gov. Maura Healey to consider creating a new position that specifically benefits Western Mass.

Magazines

Dining & Entertainment

Cliff Clark

The Meanies next up for the Music in the Hills program

TOLLAND — The Cultural Council’s Music in the Hills program continues on Saturday, May 17 and will feature The Meanies.

Lauren LeBel

So That Reminds Me: Pancake breakfast returns May 17

SPRINGFIELD — Volunteers are readying a hand, while attendees are working up an appetite in preparation for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

Dennis Hackett

A trip down memory lane with a couple of April rereleases

During the last week of April, the inner child in me had a couple of wonderful trips down memory lane with the rerelease of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” in theaters and the shadow drop of the video game “The Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion: Remastered.”

Tyler Garnet

Shadow, Sound, Spectacle set to perform Literary Monsters

NORTHAMPTON — A unique perspective on the works of Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, Washington Irving, Emily Dickinson and others is coming to Western Massachusetts through the marriage of original music, shadow puppetry and cinematography and special effects.

Ryan Feyre

Dewey’s has three months to provide status updates

SPRINGFIELD — Several hours before the clock struck midnight on Dewey’s Jazz Lounge on 232 Worthington St., the License Commission elected to give the owner of the restaurant bar and lounge three months to come back with a status update on the now dormant liquor license.

Ryan Feyre

Reopening of Place 2 Be stalls for time being

SPRINGFIELD — After announcing last month that the Place 2 Be is aiming for a reopening date in May, the owner of the eatery told the License Commission on April 23 that a deal is still not in place.

Opinion

Letters to the Editor