City Council confirms mayor’s appointment of Plante as new CAFO
HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke officially has its first chief administrative financial officer after the City Council confirmed the appointment during its Aug. 4 meeting.
For autistic children, wandering presents persistent danger
A nonverbal teen with Down syndrome named Matteo left his house in Monson on June 29 without an adult’s knowledge. He was found two days later about a mile from his home. While the incident ended safely, it brought the issue of wandering among children with developmental disabilities to the forefront. State Rep. Angelo Puppolo joined the Office of the Child Advocate and the Department of Developmental Services in efforts to raise awareness about wandering among children with autism spectrum disorder.
Contract renewals for town employees top Select Board agenda again
SOUTHWICK — The Select Board was supposed to discuss the possibility of renewing the personal contract with Town Accountant Laura Fletcher at its meeting on Aug. 3.
Springfield Preservation Trust invites public to ‘Party at the Pond’
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Preservation Trust is inviting the public to a “Party at the Pond.” For this summer’s annual fundraiser. The organization is hosting an afternoon event at a private lakefront home tied to Springfield’s midcentury past.
Two separate incidents involving pedestrian accidents occurred on Aug. 4
WESTFIELD — Police said that a woman and a teenager on a bicycle were seriously injured in two separate incidents on Aug. 4 after being struck by vehicles, including one at the crosswalk on Franklin Street, where a wheelchair-bound man was struck and killed in 2024.
Healey’s $100M supplemental education boost could offset Westfield preschool cuts
WESTFIELD — Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the supplemental budget of $100 million for education filed by Gov. Maura Healey on July 15 would bring in more than $500,000 to Westfield Public Schools if it passes.