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Wellness shop owner fulfills ‘lifelong dream’ of helping community

SPRINGFIELD — Walking into a tiny storefront on the corner of State and Cortland streets, the aroma of incense fills the air.

Westfield Elks Lodge honors citizens of the year, installs new officers

WESTFIELD — The Westfield-West Springfield Lodge of Elks #1481 on 5 Franklin St. held a ceremony on March 24 to present special awards to outstanding citizens and members, and to install officers for the 2026-2027 year.

Rep. Carlos Gonzalez named chair of World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast

SPRINGFIELD — On a recent morning, the Bellagio Ballroom at MGM Springfield was filled with representatives of organizations and businesses that support the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast.

Southwick answers lawsuit for alleged water overbilling

SPRINGFIELD — After Southwick’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a limited liability company that owns and operates Southwick Village, the town answered the original complaint in Hampden Superior Court on March 27, denying it overcharged the assisted living facility.

Cignoli, MassDOT deliver update on construction at The X

SPRINGFIELD — Several dozen Forest Park residents attended a meeting at Forest Park Middle School to hear the latest updates on changes at The X, the intersection of Sumner and Belmont avenues and Dickinson Street.

Westfield superintendent: reentry facility will have negative impact

WESTFIELD — Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski recently sent a letter to families addressing proactive steps that the Westfield Public School District is taking in the event that a plan to open a reentry facility at 182/184 Southampton Road moves forward.

Pine Grove restoration work is now underway in Northampton

NORTHAMPTON — Construction work for the Pine Grove restoration project is officially underway.

Sheriff’s Department to halt Congamond Lakes patrols

SOUTHWICK — Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi announced on March 25 the commonwealth was withholding $26 million in funding, which is forcing him to make significant cuts to the department’s budget, including eliminating water safety patrols on Congamond Lakes.

Pilot opens new travel center in Chicopee

CHICOPEE — Local developer Dinesh Patel, in partnership with DVR Ventures and Pilot, hosted a grand opening on April 8 for a new Pilot Travel Center located at 357 Burnett Road.

Council OKs next step toward new Westfield Technical Academy

WESTFIELD — The City Council voted 12-0 on April 2 to approve the submission of a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for a new Westfield Technical Academy building, with one councilor, Nicholas Morganelli, Jr., absent.

HWRSD to notify staff of potential for more layoffs

WILBRAHAM — The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District School Committee is notifying its staff about the possibility of more layoffs in the fiscal year 2027 reductions, cited as allowing staff to prepare for the “worst case scenario” by School Committee member Tim Collins.

Agawam author publishes first in nine-book fantasy series

AGAWAM — One choice can change the fate of the world, and in “Unleashed,” the first book in local author Travis Kuffel’s “Tales of Ganden” series, a young warrior must heal the damage he has done amid long-buried secrets, a war-torn land, ancient magic and vengeful giants.

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