Westfield

Westfield City Council approves $2.3M in free cash appropriations

By Amy Porter | Mar 5, 2026

Westfield City Council approves $2.3M in free cash appropriations

WESTFIELD — On Feb. 19, the City Council approved a series of free cash appropriations totalling $2.3 million that had been requested by Mayor Michael McCabe, following positive recommendations from the Finance Committee, chaired by City Councilor Daniel Knapik.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Settlement negotiations between Westfield, police officers stall

By Cliff Clark | Mar 5, 2026

Settlement negotiations between Westfield, police officers stall

SPRINGFIELD — The city of Westfield and 17 current Westfield Police Department officers have been unable to reach a settlement after the officers filed a lawsuit against the city alleging they should have been paid “regular wages” when attending the police academy.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

Senate adopts legislation for call duty firefighters

By Cliff Clark | Mar 5, 2026

Senate adopts legislation for call duty firefighters

WESTFIELD — It’s been said that words matter, and in the case of creditable service legislation filed by state Sen. John Velis, changing “the” to “any” will affect call firefighters across the state if adopted by the House and signed by the governor.

Cliff Clark

cclark@thereminder.com | + posts

Westfield’s Southampton Road students have hands-on fun at STEAM night

By Amy Porter | Feb 19, 2026

Westfield’s Southampton Road students have hands-on fun at STEAM night

WESTFIELD — Southampton Road Elementary School held its second STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) night for third and fourth graders and their siblings, in partnership with students and staff from the Jandon Center for Community Engagement at Smith College.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Westfield residents applaud vote after 10-year struggle to fix street

By Amy Porter | Feb 19, 2026

Westfield residents applaud vote after 10-year struggle to fix street

WESTFIELD — Residents applauded the City Council for its vote at the Feb. 5 meeting to appropriate $270,000 from free cash for the milling and overlay of Park River Drive and Park Circle, which was taken out of order due to the large contingent in the gallery.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

2026 Sons of Erin Colleen is crowned for Westfield

By Amy Porter | Feb 19, 2026

2026 Sons of Erin Colleen is crowned for Westfield

WESTFIELD — At the Sons of Erin Colleen Ball at Tekoa Country Club on Friday, Feb. 6, Reese O’Connell was crowned 2026 colleen and will ride in the Westfield float in the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade on March 22. She will be surrounded by her court members, Giara Curran, Maggie Leen, Savanna Mazeika and Angelica Madison Racette.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

‘You could hear a pin drop,’ at recent WMS assemblies

By Amy Porter | Feb 3, 2026

‘You could hear a pin drop,’ at recent WMS assemblies

WESTFIELD — Principal Jesse McMillan said during a visit last week to Westfield Middle School, motivational speaker Terrence Lee Talley’s message of hope and resilience was well received.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Scooter is Westfield’s Top Dog

By Amy Porter | Jan 27, 2026

Scooter is Westfield’s Top Dog

Scooter, a 13-year-old Australian shepherd has been named Westfield’s Top Dog for 2026.Reminder Publishing submitted photo WESTFIELD — City Clerk Kaitlyn Bruce has announced that Westfield’s Top Dog for 2026 went to Scooter, a 13-year-old Australian shepherd....

Registration opens Feb. 1 for Westfield River Wildwater Races

By Amy Porter | Jan 27, 2026

Registration opens Feb. 1 for Westfield River Wildwater Races

WESTFIELD — Race Director Harry Rock has announced that registration opens on Feb. 1 at westfieldriver.org/races for the 71st running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races on April 18.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Warming centers by cities and towns as cold weather arrives at end of January

By Debbie Gardner | Jan 22, 2026

Warming centers by cities and towns as cold weather arrives at end of January

It’s going to be a brutal end to the month of January. Gone are the January thaw temps of mid-month. Heavy snow is predicted on Jan 25 to 26, with real feel daytime temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees and below zero temps predicted overnight, for the entire week.