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LATEST NEWS
Passenger rail expansion actually moving at a snail’s pace in Mass. (Editorial)
The $108 million grant awarded to upgrade train tracks between Springfield and Worcester is nothing to sneeze at. But to say it signals “we are on fire to get this moving” (as U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal stated at a press conference) is a stretch. The “we are...
Westfield council tables athletic fields vote as land restriction is questioned
WESTFIELD — The City Council voted on Thursday to table its final vote on the $11.1 million bond for athletic field improvements at Westfield High School. The matter will instead be taken up at the meeting of June 6. The reason for the postponement was a question raised to Councilor Nicholas Morganelli by a constituent of whether Boardman Field, one of the fields to be renovated, had attained the required conservation restrictions after being purchased by the city with Community Preservation Act funds.
DESE board to comment on Holyoke receivership status
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Members of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the acting commissioner are set to discuss the receivership status in the Holyoke Public School District. Acting Commissioner Russell Johnston will comment on the status of Holyoke’s receivership as the school district is finally on the...
Baystate Health to build new, state-of-the-art community health center with landmark donation and support from MassMutual
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2024-- In an effort to improve health equity and meet the growing needs of the Springfield community, Baystate Health today announced a plan to build a comprehensive community health center in the heart of the city, made possible by the generous support of its longstanding partner, MassMutual. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240521479833/en/ MassMutual is donating approximately 10 acres of land valued at an estimated $5 million in the southeast corner of its Springfield campus, as well as providing financing and other support for the project. In addition, the MassMutual Foundation is donating $5 million over five years to support the new state-of-the-art health center that will be owned and operated by Baystate Health. The expected cost for the project is $45-$50 million in total.
Grammy award-winner comes to Springfield for fundraiser
(Mass Appeal) – Springfield Performing Arts Venture is bringing Grammy award-winning artist, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, to Springfield as part of a fun fundraising evening to support the community programming taking place at this new performance and event venue. Angela Park and Daniel Mc Kellick, co-founders of Springfield Performing Arts Venture, also known as 52 Sumner, join me now with all the details.
Historic building in Springfield will get new life
(Mass Appeal) – A building rich in history that has been abandoned for approximately a decade is getting a new life thanks to a local entrepreneur. Nicole Nell, Owner & President of VSP, talks about her vision for a property that has had a long and storied past.
Holyoke working to combat homelessness despite no permanent shelter
HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - This city of Holyoke has one of the largest homeless populations in the state, but there is no permanent shelter in the city. “Born and raised in the city, my family, when I was a kid, benefited from Holyoke’s compassion and being in this role, I’ve been able to really try to take a look and understand why Holyoke hasn’t really evolved to the community we know it can be. We have this stigma in our city,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia.
Springfield man dodges long prison term for role in $20M interstate pot ring
SPRINGFIELD — A city father of five netted a two-year federal prison sentence for his role in a massive coast-to-coast marijuana trafficking and money laundering ring from 2017 to 2019. William P. Murphy was sentenced last week in a Missouri courtroom after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy...
Springfield woman leads charge on striking down ’equity theft’ from homeowners facing foreclosure
SPRINGFIELD — A woman fighting to defend her family homestead against foreclosure has scored a victory in Hampden Superior Court. Ashley M. Mills recently took on the city’s tax seizure policy, prompting a judge to conclude that certain property tax foreclosure actions are unconstitutional. The state has had longstanding tax laws allowing cities and towns to seize homes over property tax debt.
Westfield councilors register early reactions to mayor’s $179M proposed budget
WESTFIELD — Mayor Michael McCabe’s fiscal 2025 budget hasn’t even made it to the Finance Committee yet, and already last week city councilors had comments. McCabe submitted the proposed budget to the council at its May 16 meeting, and Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane moved to refer it to Finance, which she chairs. Before the vote, however, acting Council President Brent Bean asked if there was any discussion, and Councilor Dan Allie was prepared.
Springfield seeing downward trend in homicides from 2023
SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - A double shooting over the weekend in Springfield remains under investigation and, as we’re nearing the six-month mark of 2024, we’re getting answers on the extent of gun violence in the city so far this year. There was some positivity from Springfield Police on...
Becoming Hot and More Humid This Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - This afternoon will feature a mixture of sunshine and clouds with highs in the upper 70′s to near 80 as High Pressure slides offshore. This pattern will set us up ushering in warm and increasingly more humid conditions for the rest of the week. Temperatures will sore well into the 80′s tomorrow and may crack 90 on Wednesday. Dew points also creep up into the 60′s by the middle of the week putting a mid-July feel in the air. We can’t rule out an isolated shower or storm, but most will not see any rain tomorrow or Wednesday.
The High School of Commerce Class of 1964 Reunion
Springfield - The High School of Commerce class of 1964 will be holding their 60th class reunion on Wednesday, June 12, at the Majestic Theater Cafe, 131 Elm St., West Springfield. RSVP by Saturday, June 1, call Carol Sheehan, 413-736-6598 or Sheila Leary at 413-537-5896. If you purchase a product...
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