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Springfield City Council approves $1.04B budget

Jun 1, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

Springfield City Council approves $1.04B budget

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted 10-3 to approve the $1.04 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, the first budget in the city’s history to top $1 billion.

Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com | + posts

Enfield Community Market focuses on more than shopping

Jun 1, 2026 | Enfield, Local News

Enfield Community Market focuses on more than shopping

ENFIELD — On any given Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors to the Enfield Community Market can browse fresh vegetables, locally raised meats, handcrafted wood products, artisan jewelry, baked goods and specialty coffee.

Tina Lesniak

+ posts

West Side man urgently needs living kidney donor

Jun 1, 2026 | Hampden County, Local News, West Springfield

West Side man urgently needs living kidney donor

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Fifteen years ago, routine bloodwork revealed that Theodore “Ted” Pinkerman had kidney damage.

Mike Lydick

mlydick@thereminder.com | + posts

Springfield City Council approves $1.04B budget

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted 10-3 to approve the $1.04 billion fiscal year 2027 budget, the first budget in the city’s history to top $1 billion.

Enfield Community Market focuses on more than shopping

West Side man urgently needs living kidney donor

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Fifteen years ago, routine bloodwork revealed that Theodore “Ted” Pinkerman had kidney damage.

Gándara Center opens new women’s recovery residence in South Hadley

SOUTH HADLEY — For women working to rebuild their lives after addiction and hardship, Hermanas Del Rio is offering more than recovery services. It will also provide a space to regain stability, independence and hope for the future through supportive residential care.

Easthampton superintendent: 35 positions will be cut without override

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Balch presented a more detailed outlook on the two scenarios the district faces pending the results of the upcoming $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override vote on June 9.

Stamborski set to retire in June; Cross to become next Chicopee fire chief

CHICOPEE — After 29 years of service, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski is set to retire from the Chicopee Fire Department on June 16.

Retiring educators honored by West Springfield School Committee

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Four retiring educators received applause and recognition from the West Springfield School Committee just a few weeks before their final days with the district, honoring their long-term commitment to the students and lasting impact on the district.

Healey tours Veterans Home in Holyoke to highlight progress

HOLYOKE — The Veterans Home in Holyoke gave Gov. Maura Healey a tour of the facility six years removed from a travesty during the coronavirus pandemic and just months away from the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility.

Northampton mayor presents $152M budget to council, warns of override in FY28

NORTHAMPTON — Amid “historic financial pressures” levied on cities and towns across the state, Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra unveiled a $152 million budget proposal for fiscal year 2027 to the City Council.

Holyoke looks to fill School Committee vacancy

HOLYOKE — The city aims to fill a School Committee vacancy on June 17 after Ward 7 School Committee representative Ellie Wilson recently announced her resignation.

Trent Levakis

CAPA receives $4M grant for NHS geothermal project

NORTHAMPTON — Northampton’s fight against climate change and global warming just received a vital boost.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield Symphony Orchestra announces free Juneteenth celebrations featuring Avery Sharpe

SPRINGFIELD — On June 19, the walls of Tower Square will reverberate with the sounds of the Juneteenth Freedom Concert and celebrations scheduled throughout the afternoon.

Sarah Heinonen

City Council approves restaurant parking lot over landlord concerns

SPRINGFIELD — A pair of landlords in Indian Orchard vehemently opposed a zone change to create a five-car parking lot at 376-378 Main St., citing concerns about noise and traffic.

Amy Porter

Drabiuk voted in as new member of Huntington Board of Selectmen

HUNTINGTON — At the May 9 annual town election, a total of 203 votes were cast for 13 positions and one ballot question.

Cliff Clark

Commission unveils flood mitigation options for Congamond Lakes

SOUTHWICK — Conservation Commission Chair Norm Cheever announced at its meeting on May 18 that four alternatives have been developed to mitigate flooding events at Congamond Lakes, and he said the costs range from $3 million to $222 million.

Amy Porter

Review finds gaps in special education staffing, professional development in Westfield

WESTFIELD — In an effort to assess its special education programming, Westfield Public Schools has asked a Massachusetts-based educational consulting service, through a bidding process, to suggest where the programming can be improved.

Gándara Center opens new women’s recovery residence in South Hadley

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

Easthampton superintendent: 35 positions will be cut without override

By Trent Levakis | May 29, 2026

Stamborski set to retire in June; Cross to become next Chicopee fire chief

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

CHICOPEE — After 29 years of service, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski is set to retire from the Chicopee Fire Department on June 16.

Retiring educators honored by West Springfield School Committee

By Peter Tuohy | May 29, 2026

Healey tours Veterans Home in Holyoke to highlight progress

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

Gándara Center opens new women’s recovery residence in South Hadley

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

Easthampton superintendent: 35 positions will be cut without override

By Trent Levakis | May 29, 2026

Stamborski set to retire in June; Cross to become next Chicopee fire chief

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

CHICOPEE — After 29 years of service, Fire Chief Daniel Stamborski is set to retire from the Chicopee Fire Department on June 16.

Retiring educators honored by West Springfield School Committee

By Peter Tuohy | May 29, 2026

Healey tours Veterans Home in Holyoke to highlight progress

By Tyler Garnet | May 29, 2026

Northampton mayor presents $152M budget to council, warns of override in FY28

By Ryan Feyre | May 28, 2026

Bands on Brewsters returns to downtown Northampton on June 5

Chester on Track draws thousands of visitors

East Longmeadow Town Council approves fiscal year 2027 budget

Easthampton CPA Committee approves $135,000 request for dog park

Meals tax bites the dust at Southwick Town Meeting

Trent Levakis

Florence Memorial Day Parade honors those who made ultimate sacrifice

NORTHAMPTON — The weather did not stop the greater Northampton community from gathering and celebrating Memorial Day this year.

Sarah Heinonen

Elected officials remember former state Rep. Ben Swan

SPRINGFIELD — Upon news of the death of retired state Rep. Benjamin Swan on March 25, condolences poured in from elected officials from every level of government. They shared their memories of Swan as a mentor, leader and civil rights advocate.

Amy Porter

Westfield City Council schedules FY27 budget reviews and public hearing

WESTFIELD — The Westfield City Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Room 207, on the fiscal year 2027 annual budget as submitted by Mayor Michael McCabe.

Peter Tuohy

Cooper answers questions ahead of East Longmeadow town election

EAST LONGMEADOW — One seat is open for a one-year term with the East Longmeadow School Committee and two people are looking to fill it after the election on June 2.

Peter Tuohy

East Longmeadow Town Council candidates respond to questions ahead of election

EAST LONGMEADOW — The East Longmeadow town election is happening on June 2 and the Town Council sees a three way race for one open seat.

Marc St. Onge

104th Fighter Wing honors fallen airmen during annual rededication

WESTFIELD — The 104th Fighter Wing held its annual F100 rededication ceremony on May 15.

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Trent Levakis

Paradise City Arts Festival returns for 31st year later this month

NORTHAMPTON — The nation’s premier destination for lovers of the handmade and high-end is once again gracing the region over Memorial Day weekend.

Trent Levakis

New theater group introduces itself with first production

EASTHAMPTON — In an effort to bring fresh, queer and gender diverse stories to the local theater scene, a new theater group, Why’s It Gotta Be?, has formed here in Western Massachusetts.

Ryan Feyre

Scoreboard oozes traditional sports bar feel at every corner

AGAWAM — No matter the season, an avid sports fan such as myself usually spends my weekends on the lookout for the perfect spot to watch the game.

Dennis Hackett

The Best Damn Sandwich: BBQ panini from Krave in East Longmeadow

EAST LONGMEADOW — Having worked exclusively in East Longmeadow over the past year, I have come to appreciate the town’s many lunch stops. I am happy to report that another excellent spot recently opened its doors.

Tyler Garnet

Historic Deerfield announces schedule for Revolution’s

DEERFIELD — As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Historic Deerfield’s 2026 season is centered on bringing the Revolutionary era to life as a lived, local experience in Western Massachusetts.

Sarah Heinonen

Forbes Library hosts wide-ranging fiber arts exhibit by The Fiberistas

NORTHAMPTON — The Hosmer Gallery on the second floor of Northampton’s Forbes Library is awash in colors and textures. Nine women have put their heart and soul — and thread — into a fiber art exhibit, “Bits and Pieces.”

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Tina Lesniak

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