Opinion

Price of cutting human connection for the sake of profit

Payton North
pnorth@thereminder.com

Returning to office life has been a big topic over the past year, year and a half. Personally, I had mixed feelings about working from home, but I also had mixed feelings about returning to the office. But what cost are companies paying when they do not encourage employees to return?...
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Disney’s briar patch was too thorny to go unpruned

Chris Maza
cmaza@thereminder.com

As I write this column, my family and I are in the final days of preparation for our trip to Walt Disney World. So, of course, given the attention it has received over the past year in the national news, there has been a recurring question: “Aren’t you sad about Splash Mountain?”...
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The NFL playoffs have me thinking about time passing

Dennis Hackett
dhackett@thereminder.com

Back when the NFL Wild Card playoff round wrapped up several weeks ago, I saw an article noting that the oldest quarterback remaining after that round was 29 years old and that was Dak Prescott of the Cowboys before they were bounced in the Divisional Round. ...
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With climate change, it’s time to rethink your yard

G. Michael Dobbs

Ah, spring. It’s time to enjoy longer and warmer days and to get the yard ready for the growing season. Outdoor cigar smoking season is upon me....
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Vote Vineeth March 7

As a longtime resident of Longmeadow, I was excited to learn that Vineeth Hemavathi was running for a seat on our Select Board. I have met and spoken with Vineeth, and like so many others who have engaged with him, I am genuinely impressed by his knowledge of our area, his understanding of the role of the Select Boa... Read More

Local News

Debut novel inspired by author’s life experiences, interests

Tina Lesniak

EASTHAMPTON — His own life experiences and interests greatly inspired Easthampton resident J.D. O’Brien’s first novel “Zig Zag,” published in February of this year.

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Agawam teachers get 7% over 3 years after long negotiation

Mike Lydick
mlydick@thereminder.com

AGAWAM — After more than a year of negotiations, Agawam teachers finally have a new three-year contract.

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Economic pressure, improper usage lead to Wilbraham sewer rate increase

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM — The Wilbraham Board of Selectmen approved an increase in sewer rates after a public hearing on the matter March 27.

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Longmeadow Select Board approves $80M budget, ponders co-responder program

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — Before a March 20 vote on the $80.82 million budget for fiscal year 2024, interim Finance Director Paul Pasterczyk reviewed with the Longmeadow Select Board the changes since the last time the budget had been analyzed.

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Berkshires forum to review Western Mass. climate incentive options

Amy Porter
aporter@thereminder.com

John Meiklejohn of Granville, a member of the Berkshire chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and Voices for Climate, said area residents interested in doing something to lower their carbon footprint may be interest in joining in-person or virtually a free public forum on April 3 in Pittsfield.

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Hadley residents look to spruce up their town

Tina Lesniak

HADLEY — As the weather warms and spring arrives, the Hadley Climate Change Committee will host a townwide spring cleanup on Saturday, April 1, to help spruce up the town.

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Monson's plans for development of old Omega mill delayed

Marcella Comerford
mcomerford@thereminder.com

MONSON — The town is hoping to acquire the former Omega Metal Processing mill site on Bliss Street and has plans for the property, however the process is still ongoing.

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Ware Town Meeting to vote on Right to Farm bylaw

Marcella Comerford
mcomerford@thereminder.com

WARE — The Selectboard hosted a public hearing on March 21 to consider recommending a proposed Right to Farm bylaw draft for vote at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting.

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Dining & Entertainment

What I’m watching: ‘Shazam’ sequel loses its spark

Matt Conway
mconway@thereminder.com

After being bestowed powers from mythic gods, Billy Batson and his foster siblings struggle to manage their double lives as ordinary kids and grandiose superheroes.

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