Westfield

By Cliff Clark | Dec 16, 2024

Westfield City Council allocates $245K toward Powdermill Dam rehab project

WESTFIELD — The project to raise the height of the “high hazard” Powdermill Dam is one step closer to being started after the City Council approved allocating $245,094 for its design and permitting on Monday night.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

High school Show Choir shares holiday spirit with preschoolers

By Amy Porter | Dec 16, 2024

High school Show Choir shares holiday spirit with preschoolers

WESTFIELD — Before the Show Choir began its program at the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center on Dec. 9, Director Korey Bruno introduced her students to the preschoolers.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Local families and organizations make generous Toy for Joy donations

By Ron Chimelis | Dec 16, 2024

Local families and organizations make generous Toy for Joy donations

The Phelon family and the Roberts family come from different backgrounds to share the desire to help children.

Ron Chimelis

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Help the Westfield Food Pantry keep hope alive

By Amy Porter | Dec 16, 2024

Help the Westfield Food Pantry keep hope alive

WESTFIELD — The Westfield Food Pantry, run by Director Rebecca Hart and her sister, Program Director Melissa Cahalan, is seeking the support of the community in order to maintain operations this holiday season and beyond. Particularly needed are monetary donations to offset costs.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

By Ryan Feyre | Dec 10, 2024

West Side mayor’s salary increased by $30,000 a year

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The West Springfield Town Council officially raised the mayor’s annual salary from $130,000 to $160,000 during its Dec. 2 regular meeting.

Ryan Feyre

rfeyre@thereminder.com | + posts

By Amy Porter | Dec 9, 2024

Westfield superintendent says special education reimbursement system is ‘broken’

WESTFIELD — During Finance Director Shannon Barry’s monthly report to the School Committee on Dec. 2, Barry said there is an unexpected deficit of over $1.5 million in special education and transportation in this year’s budget, largely due to several out-of-district placements that came in after the budget was approved in April.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

By Amy Porter | Dec 9, 2024

Westfield High School Community Closet lists greatest needs

WESTFIELD — Jill Keenan, Westfield High School English teacher and WHS Community Closet coordinator, recently spoke to the Westfield Education to Business Alliance about the success and continued needs of the closet, which provides needed items to students, faculty and staff at the school at no charge.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Westfield School Committee honors retired coach

By Amy Porter | Dec 9, 2024

Westfield School Committee honors retired coach

WESTFIELD — School Committee member Timothy O’Connor took time at the start of its Dec. 2 meeting to honor Westfield High School Hockey Coach C. B. “Moose” Matthews, who retired quietly a few years ago after a 30-year career.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Comfort Bagels opens in downtown Westfield

By Cliff Clark | Dec 3, 2024

Comfort Bagels opens in downtown Westfield

WESTFIELD — The city’s newest business, Comfort Bagels, began in the kitchen of its Founder/owner Janet Blake during the coronavirus pandemic, when she, like millions of others, started baking bread to fill those empty days during the pandemic lockdown.