Springfield Estimate Counts 1,128 Homes With Deceased Owners

Unresolved ownership can leave vacant homes stalled, making repairs or sales difficult to pursue. Gerry McCafferty, who works on Springfield's housing policy, said unresolved ownership issues are complicating the Maynard Street property's path forward, according to MassLive. Dina Fein, a former Massachusetts Housing Court judge who began helping nonprofits and municipalities redevelop vacant homes in 2021, described a recurring connection between vacancy, deterioration, and complicated ownership. “There seems to be overlap between vacant, abandoned, deteriorated properties” and homes tied up in probate, informal family ownership, or poorly documented transfers, Fein said, per the same report.

East Longmeadow to plan redesign of notorious rotary

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - For years, a seven-way rotary in East Longmeadow has caused headaches and confused drivers, but there may soon be relief on the way. Western Mass News was in town to hear what residents think and how the town is addressing those challenges. This rotary is...

Multiple maintenance projects to affect traffic in East Hartford

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Town of East Hartford said that multiple maintenance projects will affect traffic in East Hartford over the coming weeks. CTDOT will be replacing the railroad crossing on School Street from Nov. 8 through Nov. 10, and the crossing at Goodwin Street from […]

Roca Springfield celebrates grand reopening following $2.4 million renovation

A Springfield organization dedicated to helping at-risk young people turn their lives around celebrated its grand reopening Wednesday following approximately $2.4 million in renovations.

Southwick's Boldyga defeats two challengers, secures reelection

SOUTHWICK – After winning an eighth consecutive term representing the 3rd Hampden District on Tuesday, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga thanked his supporters. “I’m grateful to the voters for their support and for the opportunity to serve another term. It’s an honor to represent our communities in Boston, and I’ll continue to stand up for the values we share and fight to make Massachusetts a more affordable place to live,” Boldyga, the Republican from Southwick, said in an email.

Westfield honors Cain on last day before retirement

Westfield honored DPW Assistant Director Francis Cain at a retirement reception, marking 23 years of service and key achievements including leading the city's PFAS contamination response.

Agawam mayor defends affordable housing trust ahead of council vote

AGAWAM — The mayor's proposed affordable housing "toolbox" continues to draw a sharp critique. With a possible vote on the City Council agenda for Wednesday night, several councilors expressed doubts about the affordable housing trust fund in a workshop meeting on Monday. Mayor Christopher C. Johnson repeatedly said the trust fund would be "just a tool" to build homes that fit the vision of the town, not of developers.

3 Connecticut Cheesecake Factory restaurants have 'most loved' status

The Cheesecake Factory, which has been the focus of recent sparring by two presidents, is one of the most popular restaurant chains in Connecticut.

West Hartford Apartment Boom Adds 1,000-Plus Units as Homes Sell in 17 Days

West Hartford’s recent housing additions span affordable conversions and market-rate construction. More than 1,000 new apartments and condos are being added as the town responds to housing demand: a former synagogue is now home to dozens of residents, the former Children’s Museum site has become a 172-unit apartment complex, and a former hotel has been redeveloped entirely as affordable housing.

Toys R Us returns to Connecticut with pop-up stores

SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WFSB) - Toys R Us, which filed for bankruptcy and closed its U.S. stores in 2018, is returning to Connecticut with pop-up locations for the holiday shopping season. A Toys R Us pop-up opened at The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor in 2025 as a...

Families Across Connecticut Make The Drive For This Children’s Museum Kids Never Want To Leave

A woodchuck named Chuckles helps run a Groundhog Day celebration here every year. Yes, a real woodchuck. Somehow that’s only one of the reasons kids beg to come back. The whole thing started in a school storage closet. An art teacher filled it with treasures from her travels, and the idea simply grew from there.

Parents question response when Connecticut teacher accused of tickling student

NBC Connecticut Investigates has learned new details about how two private schools and the Connecticut Department of Children and Families handled concerns involving a teacher later charged in cases involving young female students. The case centers on Nicholas Ricciardi, a former teacher at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford...

After merger, Mercy Medical Center is now Baystate Mercy Hospital

Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, Baystate Mercy Hospital President Andrew Ritz and state Sen Adam Gomez gather for a photo after officially opening Baystate Mercy Hospital under its new name. Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen. SPRINGFIELD — Since the...

Gov. Lamont to give his first post-election briefing

Springfield’s Roca unveils upgraded facility to aid at-risk youth

SPRINGFIELD – Isaiah Barnill is now a student studying criminal justice at Holyoke. Two years ago, he found himself on the other side of the law – the wrong side. But through the Roca program and the Emerging Adult Court of Hope, which provides an alternative for youthful offenders willing to work hard, Barnill believes he is building a better life for himself.

Cannabis dispensary owner on ballot Q 8, Lit Salon, Northampton Survival Center

The 2016 ballot question that legalized adult marijuana use in Massachusetts envisioned a business model where marijuana could be used in licensed cafes and lounges. Almost seven years later, Cannabis state regulators are on a fact finding mission to develop policies based on how other states are building businesses. It's...

Cannabis Business Owners Relieved as Sales Remain Legal in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Massachusetts voters resoundingly rejected ballot Question 8 on Tuesday, which aimed to repeal the state’s marijuana legalization law, with just over 75% voting no. If approved, the measure would have repealed laws allowing the regulated commercial sales of recreational cannabis and home cultivation while maintaining legal...

CT LIVE: New England Christmas Festival

‘The Simpsons’ writer and presidential candidate to visit Springfield during nationwide tour

A longtime writer and producer of the animated television series "The Simpsons" is bringing his presidential campaign to Springfield as part of a nationwide tour visiting 17 communities that share the same name.