Hampden
Neal, Whalen have spirited debate before Sept. 1 primary election
CHICOPEE — U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and challenger Jeromie Whalen argued about corporate money, public appearances across the commonwealth and experience during their first head-to-head debate on Aug. 26 at the WWLP TV-22 Studios.
Invasive spotted lanternflies nesting throughout Massachusetts
LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow Tree Warden Leah Wallner is providing tips on what to do when seeing a spotted lanternfly, which has been found across 50 Massachusetts municipalities, including Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden and Springfield.
Towns announce voting information ahead of Sept. 1 primary
Ahead of the primary election on Sept. 1, Reminder Publishing has compiled a list of voting hours and locations in the area.
Milleron and Whalen debate ahead of primary, midterm elections
SPRINGFIELD — Two people looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Richard Neal in the Massachusetts 1st Congressional House District met at a debate on Aug. 11 to discuss their politics, priorities and approach. Of those, the most daylight between Nadia Milleron and Jeromie Whalen was in their approach.
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.
HWRS Committee backs budget increase for middle school projects
WILBRAHAM — The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District unanimously approved an increase in the district’s operating budget, now set at $59.8 million, to include Wilbraham Middle School’s interim plan while waiting on a core program decision from the Massachusetts School Building Authority at the committee’s July 30 meeting.
HWRSD School Committee approves revised regional agreement draft
WILBRAHAM — The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee approved revisions to the regional agreement between Hampden and Wilbraham with a 6-1 vote at its July 30 meeting.
Boards discuss interim plan for middle school until core program decision
WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Select Board and Hampden Selectboard have begun to lay out a plan intended to improve the conditions of Wilbraham Middle School until the Massachusetts School Building Authority gives a decision on the school’s acceptance into the core program.
Selectboard discusses potential changes in town health insurance
HAMPDEN — The Hampden Selectboard is discussing health insurance plans and costs after “taking a pretty hard” last year, according to Town Treasurer Richard Patullo.
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.