West Springfield

By Tyler Lederer | Feb 1, 2024

Rep. Walter DeFilippi recalled as respected fiscal watchdog

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Walter DeFilippi, the retired West Springfield legislator famous for his cowboy hats, died Jan. 15 at the age of 97.

Tyler Lederer

tlederer@thereminder.com | + posts

By Michael Ballway | Feb 1, 2024

Petition to stop Mittineague closure faces Feb. 8 deadline

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Parents and neighbors of Mittineague School are still collecting signatures, hoping to stop or even slow down the recent decision to close the town’s oldest and smallest current elementary school.

Michael Ballway

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By Michael Ballway | Jan 24, 2024

WSHS will adopt locked-pouch system to stop cellphone use

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Students at West Springfield High School will soon have to join their counterparts at the regional vocational school in locking away their cellphones during the day.

Michael Ballway

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By Staasi Heropoulos | Jan 24, 2024

Music school owner shares keys to success in 40-year career

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Forty years ago, Ellen Buoniconti began giving piano lessons to children in the basement of her home. She took on five students at first, starting the business with modest expectations.

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 Tyler Lederer | Jan 17, 2024

Budget cuts hit roadwork, Senior Center, Boys & Girls Club

WEST SPRINGFIELD — State funds earmarked for improvements to the Piper Road and Monastery Avenue intersection have been cut in half from $200,000 to $100,000, as part of Gov. Maura Healey’s Chapter 9C budget cuts announced Jan. 8.

Tyler Lederer

tlederer@thereminder.com | + posts

By Rich J. Wirth | Jan 17, 2024

National challenge hones middle schoolers’ business skills

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Middle schoolers are rounding out the fourth year of an innovative pilot program designed to teach students about professional skills for success.

Rich J. Wirth

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By Michael Ballway | Jan 17, 2024

Mittineague Elementary will close this year after 4-2 vote

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Mittineague School’s final year is more than halfway done. The School Committee voted 4-2 to close the school and reassign its students to Coburn and Tatham schools.