Westfield

By Amy Porter | May 22, 2024

Ad campaign questioning where Whip City Fiber profits go

WESTFIELD — A statewide group is calling foul on Westfield’s plans to build $11 million of high school sports fields using revenues from Whip City Fiber, some of which are generated outside Westfield. A new stadium and two renovated fields on the Westfield High...

By Amy Porter | May 16, 2024

More aid found for Westfield schools, but jobs will still be cut

WESTFIELD — The School Committee voted 6-1 to approve a budget after adding $1 million from reserve accounts and free cash. Committee member Michael Tirrell, the sole “no” vote on May 6, said he would not support the budget, because he felt strongly that one of the...

By Amy Porter | May 16, 2024

Free tree planting in Westfield will expand beyond downtown

WESTFIELD — The Greening the Gateway Cities tree planting program, formerly confined to downtown sections of wards 2 and 3, is expanding its eligible planting zone to encompass all environmental justice neighborhoods in Westfield, increasing the area where the...

Student-built home now finished, purchased in Westfield

By Amy Porter | May 7, 2024

Student-built home now finished, purchased in Westfield

WESTFIELD — At the ribbon cutting for the new home at 64 Mill St. built by students of Westfield Technical Academy, Matthew Gomes, head of the construction technology department, took a few minutes to acknowledge the hard work of students in the construction technology, electrical wiring and horticulture technology departments.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

Westfield honoree finds comfort zone at Boys & Girls Club

By Staasi Heropoulos | May 7, 2024

Westfield honoree finds comfort zone at Boys & Girls Club

WESTFIELD — When Emily Frangie, 18, began using acrylics years ago to paint landscapes, her skies were dark and the trees forlorn. Sheltering at home and tormented by bullies, painting helped her cope with the loneliness and express what she was feeling.

Frangie is more likely to paint sunshine and blue skies these days. The Westfield teenager has turned her life around and been named Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield.

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.

Westfield culinary, media students mix for Chef Showdown

By Amy Porter | May 1, 2024

Westfield culinary, media students mix for Chef Showdown

WESTFIELD — On the third day of the third annual Chef Showdown at Westfield Technical Academy, a collaboration between the culinary arts department and radio and television broadcasting, a division of graphics arts, the teams had been narrowed down to two who were competing for the win.

Amy Porter

amyporter@thewestfieldnews.com | + posts

By Amy Porter | May 1, 2024

Matthews-Kane announces plans to run against Rep. Pease

WESTFIELD — City Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane recently announced she will run for state representative in the district that includes Southampton and most of Westfield. She will run as a Democrat. The district is currently represented by state Rep. Kelly Pease...

By Tina Lesniak | May 1, 2024

Stanley Park run aids scholarship in memory of Agawam nurse

WESTFIELD — During her relatively short life, Mary Malone Regan brought great joy, a quick wit and a love for children and helping others to all those around her. “She was really kind. It inspired me,” said her mother, Elizabeth Malone. “We want people to remember...

By G. Michael Dobbs | Apr 30, 2024

Augustus details the Healey approach to improving housing

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus said that his secretariat is evidence of Gov. Maura Healey’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis in the commonwealth. Augustus explained in a recent episode of “Government Matters” on...

Church in Westfield replaces felled beech with 2 new trees

By Mike Lydick | Apr 25, 2024

Church in Westfield replaces felled beech with 2 new trees

WESTFIELD — The Episcopal Church of the Atonement celebrated Earth Day 2024 by hosting a tree planting ceremony. Two new trees were planted to replace a cooper beech tree that once grew in front of the church but was cut down in January due to disease and decay.