Southwick
Sheriff’s picnic draws candidates for statewide positions
SPRINGFIELD — For Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, the annual sheriff’s picnic is less about self-aggrandizing and more about informing the public about the ballot come election time.
State DEP to fund water pollution mitigation plan in the Congamond Lakes
SOUTHWICK — It was announced at the most recent Lake Management Committee meeting that the state’s Department of Environmental Protection will fund the continued development of a plan to improve water quality in the three Great Ponds.
Select Board considers committee to draft zoning bylaws for green energy systems
SOUTHWICK — The Select Board postponed a decision on creating a committee to draft a bylaw for green energy systems requested by the Planning Board at its Aug. 17 meeting
Southwick DPW director updates the Select Board on road projects
SOUTHWICK — With the completion of the Ed Holcomb Road repair project, the DPW is moving forward with several other projects, including the restoration of Gargon Terrace.
Pickleball court construction project at Whalley Park begins
SOUTHWICK — With no fanfare, unlike a formal groundbreaking ceremony, construction on the six pickleball courts at Whalley Park has begun.
“It’s great news,” said Chief Administrative Officer Nicole Parker.
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.
Prescription drugs may have contributed to plane crash that killed three, including a Southwick woman
In a final report on the January 2024 crash of a twin-engine plane near Leyden that killed all three on board, the National Transportation Safety Board indicated that several prescription medications that were in the flight instructor’s system may have contributed to the crash.
Despite recent rain, mandatory water ban continues in Southwick
SOUTHWICK — In the years before the state tied municipal water use to the state’s drought status, the town’s mandatory water ban would have already been lifted.
Conservation Commission issues enforcement order for homeowner
SOUTHWICK — The owner of a home on South Road was issued an enforcement order by the Conservation Commission after sediment from his property inundated a protected wetland area following a heavy rainstorm on Aug. 3.
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.