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Forbes Library, Sabadosa to host Birds of Prey event

Jun 18, 2026 | Hampshire County, Local News, Northampton

Forbes Library, Sabadosa to host Birds of Prey event

NORTHAMPTON — Local wildlife conservationist Emma Howard and licensed wildlife rehabilitator Tom Ricardi are inviting families and wildlife enthusiasts of all ages to its special outdoor program, “Birds of Prey” on Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. on the lawn at the library.

Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com | + posts

Westfield Police captain updates City Council on department

Jun 18, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

Westfield Police captain updates City Council on department

WESTFIELD — At the request of Westfield City Councilor Brent Bean II, Police Capt. Steve Dickinson attended the council meeting on June 4 and spoke about the department’s activities in several areas, including community policing, retail store shoplifting calls, the size of the force and the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

Cross outlines vision as new Chicopee fire chief

Jun 18, 2026 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Local News

Cross outlines vision as new Chicopee fire chief

CHICOPEE — For the first time since 2019, Chicopee will have a new fire chief after former Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross was sworn into the position on June 16.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Forbes Library, Sabadosa to host Birds of Prey event

Westfield Police captain updates City Council on department

Cross outlines vision as new Chicopee fire chief

CHICOPEE — For the first time since 2019, Chicopee will have a new fire chief after former Deputy Fire Chief Matthew Cross was sworn into the position on June 16.

Westfield patrol officers will soon wear body cameras

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Department now has nearly $300,000 to fit its officers with body-worn cameras, which was one of Police Chief Jerome Pitoniak’s goals when he was appointed in 2024.

Bumpa Built: A 3D creation of the imagination

SOMERS — Bumpa Built’s mission is to help people bring their ideas to life, inspiring creative confidence through 3D-printed fidget toys and collectibles.

Freedom Truck canceled after losing parking spot

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Police Department decided not to host the Freedom Truck Mobile Museum last week after Westfield State University rescinded its initial decision to allow the tractor-trailer to park in the south parking lot on its campus.

Smith wraps up 16 year career as East Longmeadow Public Schools superintendent

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow Public Schools is closing a nearly two-decade chapter at the end of June with the retirement of Superintendent Gordon Smith as it prepares for a new era under Dr. Joanne Menard.

Winter’s snow cover contributes to explosion of ticks

SOUTHWICK — It may sound counterintuitive, but the amount of snow the area got this winter has contributed to the dramatic increase in the number of ticks being reported by area health departments, including in Southwick.

City Council, organizers support free buses, but youth are split

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council passed a resolution supporting far-free buses with a vote of 10-0 at its June 15 meeting, overwhelmingly rejecting Mayor Domenic Sarno’s June 2 call for an end to the program, a statement he has walked back in the two weeks since.

Community Legal Aid receives $200k to battle housing discrimination

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield City Council supports proposed rule to appear in person

SPRINGFIELD — A month after Springfield Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin proposed limitations on remote participation in meetings and faced significant pushback from colleagues, the council voted 10-2 to approve the resolution.

Trent Levakis

Musante Beach lands floating beach wheelchair after city receives grant

NORTHAMPTON — Musante Beach will soon have a floating beach wheelchair after the Northampton Parks & Recreation Department was awarded one through the SMILE Mass 2026 Floating Beach Wheelchair Grant Program.

Tyler Garnet

Chicopee City Council appropriates funds to provide tax relief

CHICOPEE — Several days after Mayor John Vieau submitted his recommended fiscal year 2027 budget, the City Council unanimously approved a pair of mayor’s orders, including one that provides relief to Chicopee taxpayers, during its June 16 meeting.

Miasha Lee

Enfield Girl Scout receives Gold Award

ENFIELD — Emily Birdsey of the Enfield Girl Scout Troop earned the most prestigious honor in the Girl Scouts of Connecticut organization, the Gold Award, for her community-impacting project.

Peter Tuohy

Longmeadow Select Board reorganizes, approves borrowing for four town projects

LONGMEADOW — The Longmeadow Select Board made its first set of votes with new positions after approving over $70 million in short-term borrowing for four town projects through bond anticipation notes.

Sarah Heinonen

Hampden County Sheriff’s Department participates in Flag Sojourn 250

SPRINGFIELD — An American flag that is making its way through every state and territory in the country and every military cemetery abroad came to Springfield on June 16.

Westfield patrol officers will soon wear body cameras

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

Bumpa Built: A 3D creation of the imagination

By Miasha Lee | Jun 18, 2026

SOMERS — Bumpa Built’s mission is to help people bring their ideas to life, inspiring creative confidence through 3D-printed fidget toys and collectibles.

Freedom Truck canceled after losing parking spot

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

Smith wraps up 16 year career as East Longmeadow Public Schools superintendent

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 18, 2026

Winter’s snow cover contributes to explosion of ticks

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

Westfield patrol officers will soon wear body cameras

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

Bumpa Built: A 3D creation of the imagination

By Miasha Lee | Jun 18, 2026

SOMERS — Bumpa Built’s mission is to help people bring their ideas to life, inspiring creative confidence through 3D-printed fidget toys and collectibles.

Freedom Truck canceled after losing parking spot

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

Smith wraps up 16 year career as East Longmeadow Public Schools superintendent

By Peter Tuohy | Jun 18, 2026

Winter’s snow cover contributes to explosion of ticks

By Cliff Clark | Jun 18, 2026

City Council, organizers support free buses, but youth are split

By Sarah Heinonen | Jun 18, 2026

Springfield City Council votes to support state rent control legislation

Holyoke bans future data center developments

East Longmeadow Town Council approves Fire Department’s pursuit of staffing grants

Holyoke School Committee approves $128.7 million FY27 budget

State grant will upgrade Chicopee’s fiber network infrastructure

Sarah Heinonen

Biodiversity in our backyard: Robinson Park’s Science and Nature Day

AGAWAM — People living in the Greater Springfield area may think they have to travel far to experience a wide array of nature and wildlife, but Robinson State Park may be the area’s best kept secret in biodiversity.

Peter Tuohy

Youth behavior study gives data on mental health struggles, substance use in HWRSD students

WILBRAHAM — Results from a 2025 Youth Risk Behavioral Study administered to Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District students show a staggering percentage of Wilbraham Middle School students struggling with their mental health.

Peter Tuohy

Gillen hired as new Longmeadow Middle School’s first principal

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow will be seeing a brand new middle school join the town within the next few years, and along with it comes a brand new principal from just across the Connecticut River.

Sydney Wietecha

Northampton prepares for nicotine-free generation policy

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Board of Health has approved a nicotine-free generation regulation that will prohibit residents born after July 1, 2005, from purchasing tobacco or nicotine products in the city.

Sydney Wietecha

Holyoke forum highlights housing, gentrification concerns at LEAC tour kickoff

HOLYOKE — Housing affordability, gentrification and the potential displacement of longtime residents were among the issues discussed June 3 as Governor Maura Healey’s Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment launched its statewide community tour with a housing-focused forum in Holyoke.

Trent Levakis

DHHS seeking new Hampshire HOPE coordinator

NORTHAMPTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is looking for a new Hampshire HOPE coordinator after the position recently became vacant.

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Trent Levakis

Thunder in the Valley returns with fireworks, music festival

EASTHAMPTON — In celebration of the Fourth of July and the 250th anniversary of America, the Thunder in the Valley concert and fireworks festival returns to Easthampton to provide the community with its biggest celebration yet.

Peter Tuohy

‘La Casita Experience’ to transform MassMutual Center

SPRINGFIELD — The MassMutual Center will soon host one big celebration of community, blending music and dance, live performances, DJ sets and interactive visuals to represent the high energy nightlife experience rooted in Puerto Rican culture.

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.

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