Springfield

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 21, 2024

Thousands of Springfield residents request ballots ahead of early voting in the state primary

SPRINGFIELD — Early voting is still a relatively new method of exercising the right to vote in Massachusetts. The first election in which residents could choose to cast their ballots early instead of on Election Day was in 2016. A 2014 state law made early voting a mandatory option for all municipalities, be it in person or voting by mail. The state does not differentiate between absentee and vote-by-mail ballots.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

By Payton North | Aug 21, 2024

Debate proves contentious as Gomez, Brown vie for Senate seat

SPRINGFIELD — Both City Councilor Malo Brown and state Sen. Adam Gomez were on the receiving end of accusations slung back and forth at Focus Springfield’s Hampden District state Senate debate on Aug. 15.

Payton North

pnorth@thereminder.com | + posts

By Sarah Heinonen and Trent Levakis | Aug 19, 2024

HCC, STCC prepare for potential influx of free tuition students

With free tuition to community colleges now available for adult Massachusetts residents 25 years-old and up, Reminder Publishing reached out to Holyoke Community College and Springfield Technical Community College to find out how they are preparing for potential influxes of new students on campus this fall.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com |

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Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com |

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By Tyler Lederer | Aug 13, 2024

Cities talk positive impacts of sister city relationships

In Springfield and West Springfield, sister city relationships have had nothing but positive impacts.

Tyler Lederer

tlederer@thereminder.com | + posts

Mason Square community celebrates National Night Out

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 13, 2024

Mason Square community celebrates National Night Out

SPRINGFIELD — Mason Square was one of about a dozen locations in Springfield where people celebrated National Night Out, an annual tradition that promotes partnerships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 13, 2024

Gomez speaks on experience, earning re-election for state Senate

SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. Adam Gomez is facing an opponent in this year’s race for the Senate Hampden District seat, City Councilor Malo Brown. Despite both Gomez and Brown having served on the council, Gomez said his record and experience make him the better person...

By Chris Maza | Aug 13, 2024

Williams discusses housing, district priorities

SPRINGFIELD — Two people are vying for the 11th Hampden District seat in the House of Representatives — incumbent Rep. Bud Williams, and Johnnie McKnight. As part of Reminder Publishing’s coverage of the upcoming election, we asked candidates of contested races to participate in Q&A sessions as a service to our readers.

Chris Maza

cmaza@thereminder.com | + posts

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 13, 2024

Sen. Gomez on his experience, earning re-eelection

SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. Adam Gomez is facing an opponent in this year’s race for the Senate Hampden District seat, Springfield City Councilor Malo Brown.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 13, 2024

Nonprofit awarded grant for veteran financial literacy

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Partners for Community Action is one of seven organizations recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the state for their veterans’ financial literacy program.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

By Sarah Heinonen | Aug 13, 2024

Springfield Caribbean Carnival Parade returns Aug. 17

SPRINGFIELD — More than 7,000 islands lie in the blue-green waters of the Caribbean Sea. From Aruba to the Dominican Republic, and St. Lucia to Turks and Caicos, the cultures and traditions of the people there are varied. Each year, those who have come to call Springfield home can get a taste of the Caribbean with the Springfield Carribean Carnival Parade.