Unions raise ethics concerns over Rivera’s ongoing role in Holyoke police affairs
HOLYOKE — Holyoke City Councilor Israel Rivera has caught the attention of two unions that represent the Holyoke Police Department after his OUI arrest on Dec. 20.
Hampden Selectboard begins to weigh options for future of old Town Hall
HAMPDEN — With the November 2025 move into the new Town Hall at 85 Wilbraham Road, the building formally known as the Thornton W. Burgess School, the Hampden Selectboard began the conversation of what will become of the old Town Hall in its Jan. 5 meeting.
Springfield to pay record $14.8 million in child sex abuse civil suits
SPRINGFIELD — The city of Springfield has reached a settlement with the families of two children in two civil suits stemming from 2023 criminal child sex abuse charges against Robert Gayle, a then-social studies teacher at STEM Middle Academy in Springfield.
The Nest ends holidays with successful stocking charity event
EAST LONGMEADOW — For three weeks from November through mid December, The Nest, a boutique gift store at 60 Shaker Road, collected items for their first stocking charity event.
American Farmland Trust to receive farmland protection grant
NORTHAMPTON — The American Farmland Trust in Northampton was awarded close to $274,000 in grants to support farmland protection in various capacities.
State to fund feasibility study for Westfield Reservoir dam removal
WESTFIELD — The Healey-Driscoll Administration recently announced $350,000 to support dam removal studies in seven municipalities.