Springfield

YWCA receives $1.22 million federal earmark to maintain facilities

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 12, 2026

YWCA receives $1.22 million federal earmark to maintain facilities

SPRINGFIELD — Federal funding for organizations in Massachusetts has been limited over the past year, with many grants and programs canceled.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Springfield City Council to rescind ‘tainted’ vote, Whitfield apologizes

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 11, 2026

Springfield City Council to rescind ‘tainted’ vote, Whitfield apologizes

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council called a special meeting to rescind a vote, after Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield failed to recuse herself from deliberation of a matter that she had financial and familial connections to.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Book highlights importance of middle school connection

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 11, 2026

Book highlights importance of middle school connection

SPRINGFIELD — For several years, Vilenti Tulloch has been training teachers and working with schoolchildren to learn vital lessons about creating environments in which children can learn. Now, Tulloch has authored a book, “Engage to Excel: Building Trust, Belonging and Success in the Middle School Years” to spread the core lesson that “care, trust and togetherness build connection.”

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

HOPE Center for the Arts receives $5 million earmark to improve building

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 10, 2026

HOPE Center for the Arts receives $5 million earmark to improve building

SPRINGFIELD — An organization providing free arts and literacy education, and college preparation services to Springfield students has received a $5 million windfall of federal funding to continue its mission, repair its facility and expand its reach.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Workers brave frigid temps to protest ICE actions around the country

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 10, 2026

Workers brave frigid temps to protest ICE actions around the country

SPRINGFIELD — Bitterly cold temperatures did not stop more than 150 members of area unions from coming out on Feb. 7 to rally against actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota and elsewhere under the administration of President Donald Trump.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Schools surpass goals in college and career readiness metrics

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 5, 2026

Schools surpass goals in college and career readiness metrics

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Public Schools is making incremental progress and surpassing its goals in the realm of career and college readiness. That was the report from Chief of Student Services Dr. Yolanda Johnson and her team at the Jan. 29 School Committee meeting.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Requests to permanently close roads cause City Council much debate

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 5, 2026

Requests to permanently close roads cause City Council much debate

SPRINGFIELD — Similar requests to discontinue the use of two Springfield streets resulted in very different discussions at the City Council’s Feb. 2 meeting.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Putnam names gym for alum state Rep. Bud Williams

By Sarah Heinonen | Feb 3, 2026

Putnam names gym for alum state Rep. Bud Williams

SPRINGFIELD — Two lines of cheerleaders flanked the podium at Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy, rustling their blue and gold pom-poms as state Rep. Bud Williams stepped up to speak.