West Springfield

By Staasi Heropoulos | Jun 19, 2024

West Springfield cancer survivor’s fundraiser to help others

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Cindy Sheridan Murphy, 63, had just come home from hiking and running with friends and she noticed one of her breasts was sore. Murphy said she’ll never forget the day she discovered the lump: June 29, 2014. “I found a lump the size of a golf...

By Mike Lydick | Jun 19, 2024

West Springfield teacher will miss diverse challenges, successes

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Lisa Maccrone always wanted to be an elementary physical education teacher. It took her 10 years to achieve that goal after starting in 1986 at West Springfield Middle School as a health teacher. When there was an opening for a physical education...

By Miasha Lee | Jun 19, 2024

‘Read, Renew, Repeat’ is summer theme at West Springfield library

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Public Library began its Summer Reading Program on June 18. The program runs until Aug. 2. The theme this year is “Read, Renew, Repeat,” with a focus on protecting the environment. “For us as a library, we have so many...

Council of Jewish Women awards $70K in scholarships

By Sarah Heinonen | Jun 17, 2024

Council of Jewish Women awards $70K in scholarships

Nearly 50 students will have an easier time paying for college this fall with scholarships totaling $70,000 from the Springfield Council of Jewish Women.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

West Springfield volunteers lend a hand for homeowners

By Staasi Heropoulos | Jun 11, 2024

West Springfield volunteers lend a hand for homeowners

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Marie Colbert is a retired payroll clerk living in a small ranch house on Westfield Street. She takes pride in her home and was frustrated when she couldn’t keep it pristine.

Staasi Heropoulos

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Staasi Heropoulos has been a broadcast and print journalist as well as a corporate communications practitioner, in Western Mass. and internationally for more than 40 years. He loves writing feature articles on local people and places but also welcomes story ideas about corporate and government malfeasance. Staasi can be reached at Staasi.Heropoulos@gmail.com.

By Miasha Lee | Jun 11, 2024

Block party will continue West Springfield 250th celebration

WEST SPRINGFIELD — To mark the town’s year-long birthday celebration, West Springfield will host a 250th Anniversary Block Party on Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23, noon to 7 p.m. on the Town Common. In collaboration with city officials and the 250th Anniversary...

West Springfield valedictorian motivated by plans for medical career

By Mike Lydick | Jun 11, 2024

West Springfield valedictorian motivated by plans for medical career

WEST SPRINGFIELD — When Adam Mahdi entered West Springfield High School as a ninth grader, he wasn’t thinking about being valedictorian of his graduating class in 2024. He planned to play basketball, which he didn’t think would give him enough time to take AP classes.

Mike Lydick

mlydick@thereminder.com | + posts

By Tina Lesniak | Jun 11, 2024

ValleyBike’s new operator not ready to talk expansion yet

NORTHAMPTON — As the busy summer season kicks off, those eagerly waiting for the return and possible expansion of ValleyBike Share will have to wait a while longer. In a recent interview, Dipesh Dar, the co-founder and COO of Drop Mobility, the new vendor running...

By Michael Ballway | Jun 5, 2024

West Springfield council cuts $1M from schools to reduce taxes

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Councilors cut more than $1 million from the mayor’s proposed town budget on June 3, most of it from the School Department. After rejecting a $1.6 million cut proposed by Town Councilor Daniel O’Brien, the council agreed to a series of line-item...

Sen. recalls fallen comrades at West Springfield Memorial Day

By Michael Ballway | Jun 5, 2024

Sen. recalls fallen comrades at West Springfield Memorial Day

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Memorial Day started as a way to remember those who died in the Civil War. But for state Sen. John Velis, the commemoration brings to mind much more recent, and much more personal, losses.