Westfield

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.

Mike Lydick

mlydick@thereminder.com | + posts

By Miasha Lee | Apr 25, 2024

‘Fastest 5K’ to bring runners, partiers, car show to Westfield

WESTFIELD — Run Westfield will kick off this year’s Flat Fast 5K Run and Walk at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 4. The race starts at Westfield State University’s south parking lot and dashes down Western Avenue and Court Street to Elm Street in downtown Westfield. In...

By Amy Porter | Apr 18, 2024

Westfield budget proposes cuts, closure of virtual school

WESTFIELD — Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Business Administrator Shannon Barry outlined proposed cuts in the fiscal year 2025 School Department budget in front of a packed gallery at a special meeting of the School Committee on April 9. A second public...

By Mike Lydick | Apr 18, 2024

Westfield native receives award from Greater Holyoke YMCA

WESTFIELD — When Vincent Olinski learned that the Greater Holyoke YMCA was going to present him with a special award for his community volunteerism, the lifelong Westfield resident said he was “very surprised and shocked.” Mary Lynch presents Westfield resident...

Credit fair teaches Greater Westfield teens to balance books

By Amy Porter | Apr 11, 2024

Credit fair teaches Greater Westfield teens to balance books

WESTFIELD — Four hundred seniors and juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, Southwick Regional School, St. Mary’s High School, Smith Academy, White Oak School, Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative and Gateway Regional High School gathered in two sessions on April 3 at the Credit for Life Fair at Westfield High School for an exercise in “real-world” finances from experts in the field.