Westfield
Westfield OKs $11M bond for school athletic fields, stadium
WESTFIELD — After a final pitch from members of the girls softball, soccer and lacrosse teams, the City Council on June 6 passed the second and final vote for an $11.1 million bond to build a new track and field stadium, and refurbish two other athletic fields, at...
Westfield students’ water filtration projects judged by pros
WESTFIELD — Fifth graders at Westfield Intermediate School had their water filtration projects reviewed by industry professionals and community members the morning of May 22 in a culmination of their Project Lead the Way module on the Earth’s water.
Ward 5 going to polls to pick Westfield Light Board member
WESTFIELD — Planning Board member Robert Goyette is running in a June 18 special election for the Ward 5 Municipal Light Board representative. Ward 5 was previously represented by Joe Mitchell, who resigned in November to become Westfield Gas & Electric’s...
Valedictorian lived Gateway ‘to the fullest’ in sports, classes
HUNTINGTON — Alexi Bonenfant of Westfield is the valedictorian for the Gateway Regional High School class of 2024. Bonenfant is the daughter of Matthew Bonenfant, Gateway’s athletic director. She started attending Gateway schools in first grade.
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...
Marine vet with local ties publishes book on forgotten war
CHICOPEE — Tom Hebert is racked by survivor’s guilt, and because of it, the former Marine is writing a seven-volume series of books about the Marine Corps.
Westfield Farmers Market ready to supply food, crafts, community
WESTFIELD — The Westfield Farmers Market’s 18th season promises to be full of good, local food, amazing entertainment, opportunities to learn about non-profit organizations and fun activities for the kids. “This year will be my third as manager, and I have learned...
Westfield councilors give $179M budget plan mixed review
WESTFIELD — Mayor Michael McCabe proposed his fiscal year 2025 budget to the City Council at its May 16 meeting. It was referred to the council’s Finance Committee for review. Councilor Dan Allie said at the meeting that because the budget document is 900 pages, he...
Walks to highlight Robinson State Park’s biodiversity
AGAWAM — When people take a walk in the woods on Robinson State Park Day, they may come across ancient trees, special birds, unique creatures and aquatic organisms. Saturday, June 15, will be a day for visiting nature and hearing from environmentalists, in an...
Roundtable celebrates early lit success, highlights new initiative
SPRINGFIELD — During a May 22 literacy roundtable event at Edward P. Boland Elementary School in Springfield, local education leaders discussed projects across multiple school systems to improve early literacy in Western Massachusetts, including the state’s Literacy Launch initiative.