West Springfield

By Michael Ballway | Oct 16, 2024

Fundraiser to help West Springfield teens attend DC conference

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Hearing primary school pupils ask about drug abuse is “heartbreaking,” a pair of teens told the School Committee, but points to the value of the peer education program known as the Care Coalition. “Walking into the classroom, they were so little,...

By Michael Ballway | Oct 16, 2024

Early voting for presidential election starting in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Residents of can take advantage of mail-in voting and in-person early voting in advance of the Nov. 5 general election. The ballot includes the presidential race, a statewide contested race for U.S. Senate, a contested race for U.S....

By Tyler Lederer | Oct 16, 2024

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Housing and immigration dominated the discussion at the West of the River Chamber of Commerce’s Oct. 2 legislative breakfast. This year’s panel was composed of state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga (R-Southwick), state Rep. Michael Finn (D-West...

By Sarah Heinonen | Oct 10, 2024

Milleron: ‘Half the district doesn’t know I’m running’

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) is a well-known name in Massachusetts. Nadia Milleron is not, and as a candidate for the 1st Congressional District, she is outraged by that.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Vets help vets be their best selves at West Springfield center

By Tyler Lederer | Oct 9, 2024

Vets help vets be their best selves at West Springfield center

WEST SPRINGFIELD — For Bryan Doe, outreach specialist for the Springfield Vet Center, the organization’s summer cookout on Sept. 6 was not just a fun event, but a community building exercise and foot in the door for local veterans.

Tyler Lederer

tlederer@thereminder.com | + posts

By Michael Ballway | Oct 9, 2024

West Springfield weighs parent thoughts on phones at Middle School

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Before the school year is out, the cellphone pouches introduced at the high school this September may end up at West Springfield Middle School, too. It won’t happen without parent and student input, however, middle school Principal Peter Gillen...

Horse owners unsatisfied with response to Big E’s barn fire

By Tyler Lederer | Oct 2, 2024

Horse owners unsatisfied with response to Big E’s barn fire

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Owners of horses injured in a Sept. 20 fire at the Big E are saying it was more serious than first responders and Eastern States Exposition staff reported.

Tyler Lederer

tlederer@thereminder.com | + posts

Family traditions aid high turnout on Big E’s Agawam Day

By Mike Lydick | Oct 2, 2024

Family traditions aid high turnout on Big E’s Agawam Day

Bill Toelken said as a neighboring community, it’s important that the Big E recognize Agawam with a special day: “There’s a lot of work that goes on to support the fair on both sides of the river, not just in West Springfield.”

Mike Lydick

mlydick@thereminder.com | + posts

Westfield cruise night presents $2,500 to vet organizations

By Mike Lydick | Sep 25, 2024

Westfield cruise night presents $2,500 to vet organizations

WESTFIELD — As the son of a veteran, Bruce Marshall supports missions of local veteran organizations, especially those that help veterans in need. That’s why he wrapped up the 2024 season of his “Cruisin’ with Bruce Marshall” car show at Hampton Ponds Plaza by presenting three local veterans groups with a donation.

Mike Lydick

mlydick@thereminder.com | + posts

Fairgoers flock to Big E for West Springfield’s special day

By Mike Lydick | Sep 25, 2024

Fairgoers flock to Big E for West Springfield’s special day

Sept. 16 — the first Monday of the Big E’s 2024 season — was warm and sunny. It was perfect fair weather for the 67,034 people who attended. That number was four times higher than the Salute to West Springfield in 2023, when only 16,549 people attended because of rainy weather, setting a record low attendance.