EAST LONGMEADOW — Olivia Upton graduated from East Longmeadow High School in 2018 and did not hesitate. She knew that she wanted to make films and moved to California to attend the Academy of Art University San Francisco. A year later, when the coronavirus pandemic upended her plan, she decided it was as good a time as any and moved to Los Angeles. Since then, Upton has become impressively prolific as a short film producer.
ENFIELD — For more than five decades, Barbara Costas has been a tireless force behind the Enfield Food Shelf, a community organization dedicated to alleviating hunger in Enfield and surrounding areas. This year, Costas’ unwavering commitment was recognized in a big way — by the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, a prestigious program sponsored by the New England Patriots Foundation that honors volunteers making a significant difference in their communities.
EASTHAMPTON — A kickoff event for the campaign of mayoral candidate JT Tirrell was hosted on Thursday, June 26 at the Keystone Building’s Boylston Room, where the current city councilor was excited to share with the public his plans as he eyes a level up in municipal government.
WESTFIELD — With five generations of Hartleys living in Wyben since 1831, their name is synonymous with Wyben and one of the many reasons Brian and Kathy Hartley will be honored as the marshals for the community’s 74th Annual Fourth of July parade.
HOLYOKE — After 10 years, Holyoke Public Schools exited state receivership on July 1, following an announcement made by Massachusetts Education Secretary and interim Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Dr. Patrick Tutwiler during the June 23 School Committee meeting and June 24 state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting.
SPRINGFIELD — Thousands of people will once again grace the banks of the Connecticut River on the Fourth of July for one of the grandest fireworks celebrations in Western Massachusetts.