Hilltowns
Tolland Cultural Council offering up Music in the Hills 2025
TOLLAND — Each month on Saturday nights the Tolland Cultural Council will offer the community its Music in the Hills — 2025 concert series featuring some of region’s most unique acoustic musicians like Andy & Judy who will perform on Saturday, March 15.
Gateway Regional presents FY26 budget at public hearing
HUNTINGTON — During a lightly attended public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget of $18.25 million for Gateway Regional Schools, Superintendent Kristen Smidy said the figure represents a 1.57% increase over last year’s budget.
Southwick Regional to perform ‘Anastasia’ March 14-16
SOUTHWICK — Southwick Regional School will perform “Anastastia” from March 14-16 at the school.
Huntington Fire Department adds canine members to roster
HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Fire Department has two new canine members. “Duke,” a 3-year-old golden retriever owned by Assistant Fire Chief John McVeigh is training as a therapy dog for first responders. “Luna,” a 7-month-old Belgian Malinois owned by Firefighter Nicholas Perry is training for search and rescue. Both firefighters intend to make the dogs available to the wider community once fully trained and certified.
Departure of elementary principal raises concerns for families
HUNTINGTON — At the start of the Gateway Regional School Committee meeting on Feb. 12, which was moved to the Performing Arts Center due to the 100 residents that attended, Chair Jason Forgue asked for a motion to extend public participation to 30 minutes, instead of the 15 minutes normally allotted.
Meeting in Huntington raises old, newer concerns
HUNTINGTON — State Sen. Paul Mark (D-Becket) and state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick) hosted a filled town hall meeting at Stanton Hall on Feb. 11 to hear from residents of the hilltowns about issues of concern to them.
Tolland Fire Capt. Littlefield welcomed home after cancer treatment
TOLLAND — After spending three weeks in a Boston hospital to treat a rare cancer, Fire Department Capt. Kevin Littlefield was welcomed home last week with a display of fire trucks with emergency lights flashing and friends and family.
Gateway Regional awarded early literacy grant
HUNTINGTON — Gateway Regional, in partnership with Farmington River Region, was one of 15 school districts and partnerships across the state to receive grants through the Partnership for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM). A total of $326,477 was awarded, with $15,000 going to the Gateway partnership, according to the Jan. 27 announcement.
Sen. Velis maps out goals and priorities for 2025
With the new year here, Reminder Publishing talked with state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) to discuss his outlook and goals for 2025.
Russell Public Library joins CWMARS, upcoming February events
RUSSELL — Library Director Dawne Piers-Gamble has announced that the Russell Public Library has officially joined the Central and Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing system.