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Holyoke mayor gives State of City address

May 26, 2026 | Hampden County, Holyoke, Local News

Holyoke mayor gives State of City address

HOLYOKE – Mayor Joshua Garcia officially unveiled his proposed $213 million budget, an increase of $8.97 million, or 4.4%, over FY26.

Tyler Garnet

tgarnet@thereminder.com | + posts

Easthampton City Council approves ordinance changes to modernize housing rules

May 26, 2026 | Easthampton, Hampshire County, Local News

Easthampton City Council approves ordinance changes to modernize housing rules

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton City Council approved a series of amendments on May 20 to the city’s Affordable and Fair Housing Partnership Zoning Ordinance.

Tina Lesniak

+ posts

Daniels becomes city’s new economic development director

May 26, 2026 | Chicopee, Hampden County, Local News

Daniels becomes city’s new economic development director

CHICOPEE — Michael Daniels will now be tasked with boosting Chicopee’s economic development after recently being named the city’s director of the department.

Holyoke mayor gives State of City address

HOLYOKE – Mayor Joshua Garcia officially unveiled his proposed $213 million budget, an increase of $8.97 million, or 4.4%, over FY26.

Easthampton City Council approves ordinance changes to modernize housing rules

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton City Council approved a series of amendments on May 20 to the city’s Affordable and Fair Housing Partnership Zoning Ordinance.

Daniels becomes city’s new economic development director

CHICOPEE — Michael Daniels will now be tasked with boosting Chicopee’s economic development after recently being named the city’s director of the department.

Academy of Music Youth Production series heats up

NORTHAMPTON — An instant classic is making its way to Northampton during the last weekend of May.

So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sat down with Holyoke Pride Committee members Jeffery Bianche and Jeffrey Anderson-Burgos, while Chris Maza and Dennis Hackett sat down with Springfield Pride Parade Founder and CEO Taurean Bethea to chat about what’s in store for Pride Month in their respective communities.

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

HOLYOKE — Kmart Plaza may soon have new tenants and a fresh look after Mayor Joshua Garcia announced the developer’s plan for the space at 2201 Northampton St.

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council and Alfred Pajer, owner of Pajer Superette, 400 Cooper St., struck a compromise regarding the planned roadway upgrades at the intersection of Cooper, Suffield and Rowley streets.

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

NORTHAMPTON — To mark half a century as a staple of the Northampton music community, Downtown Sounds Workers Co-op is hosting a 50th anniversary celebration event on Monday, June 1, at the Iron Horse.

Holyoke’s inaugural Lupus Awareness Walk to take place on May 31

HOLYOKE — Community members, families, advocates and local organizations will come together on Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. for the first Holyoke Lupus Awareness Walk at the city’s Heritage State Park on 221 Appleton St.

Look Park to host Community Tag Sale

NORTHAMPTON — Look Park will blossom on May 30 from 1-7 p.m. thanks to its Community Tag Sale at Springtacular Festival event, which will feature an afternoon of community gathering and family fun for all.

Peter Tuohy

West Springfield Town Council hears details on fiscal year 2027 budget

WEST SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt is emphasizing the town’s strong financial position after releasing the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield City Council reviews school, police budget proposals

SPRINGFIELD — On the first day of the City Council’s budget review process, councilors reviewed the budget requests of two of the city’s largest departments: schools and police.

Tyler Garnet

Steffenhagen looks to modernize department as Chicopee’s new city auditor

CHICOPEE — The Chicopee City Council has appointed Tiana Steffenhagen as the new city auditor, tasking the official with overseeing municipal finances, conducting independent reviews of city spending and ensuring transparency and accountability across all departments.

Peter Tuohy

Historical Commission sets date for 2026-2076 time capsule kickoff

EAST LONGMEADOW — East Longmeadow is preparing to dig up the past and replant a part of the present day as the town’s time capsule events rapidly approach.

Sarah Heinonen

EMTs, paramedics graduate from AMR’s Earn While You Learn

SPRINGFIELD — American Medical Response, an emergency medical services provider, graduated a class of emergency medical technicians and paramedics from its Earn While You Learn program.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield City Councilors debate whether to mandate in-person meetings

SPRINGFIELD — A resolution by Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin requiring councilors to attend meetings in person caused some fiery debate in the council chambers on May 18.

Academy of Music Youth Production series heats up

By Trent Levakis | May 26, 2026

NORTHAMPTON — An instant classic is making its way to Northampton during the last weekend of May.

So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

By Tyler Garnet | May 22, 2026

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

By Tyler Garnet | May 22, 2026

HOLYOKE — Kmart Plaza may soon have new tenants and a fresh look after Mayor Joshua Garcia announced the developer’s plan for the space at 2201 Northampton St.

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

By Sarah Heinonen | May 22, 2026

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

Academy of Music Youth Production series heats up

By Trent Levakis | May 26, 2026

NORTHAMPTON — An instant classic is making its way to Northampton during the last weekend of May.

So That Reminds Me: Pride Month events in Western Massachusetts

By Tyler Garnet | May 22, 2026

Kmart Plaza to get a new look after Holyoke City Council approves demolition plans

By Tyler Garnet | May 22, 2026

HOLYOKE — Kmart Plaza may soon have new tenants and a fresh look after Mayor Joshua Garcia announced the developer’s plan for the space at 2201 Northampton St.

Agawam compromises with Pajer Superette on sidewalk easement

By Sarah Heinonen | May 22, 2026

Downtown Sounds to celebrate 50th anniversary

By Trent Levakis | May 21, 2026

Holyoke’s inaugural Lupus Awareness Walk to take place on May 31

By Tyler Garnet | May 21, 2026

Workhub on Union seeks artists for new exhibits

Half of Veritas Prep seniors to graduate with diploma, college degrees

New organization brings Juneteenth celebrations to Enfield

CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars to award record $363,500

East Longmeadow Farmers’ Market grows into a community tradition

Amy Porter

Westfield-West Springfield Elks honor 19 for annual youth week

WESTFIELD — The Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge 1481 observed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Youth Week with a recognition of accomplishments by area youth at its lodge at 56 Franklin St. on May 6.

Chris Maza

No contested races for Longmeadow town election

LONGMEADOW — Longmeadow’s annual town election is on the horizon and the decision making for voters shouldn’t be too difficult this time around.

Amy Porter

Ribbon cut for new Chauncey Allen Park pavilion and arboretum

WESTFIELD — At a ribbon-cutting on May 12 for the new Chauncey Allen Park pavilion and arboretum on Smith Avenue, Allen Steiger, president of the Friends of the Grandmothers’ Garden asked Jackie McDowell, education coordinator for the board, Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane and Mayor Michael McCabe to join him for the ceremony.

Sarah Heinonen

Springfield honors its fallen police officers with ceremony

SPRINGFIELD — The call of a bugle sounding taps echoed off the Springfield Police Department headquarters on Pearl Street before being carried away on the wind, while dozens of officers, dignitaries and community members looked on stoically.

Tyler Garnet

South Hadley Town Meeting members approve most articles, including $1.2M for town departments

SOUTH HADLEY — Although the precarious budget situation dominated the night, Town Meeting members also approved other crucial articles during the Annual Town Meeting on May 13.

Cliff Clark

Westfield City Council approves settlement with officers who alleged wage theft

WESTFIELD — On May 7, the City Council approved an appropriation of $112,500 to settle a lawsuit brought by 17 Westfield Police Department officers against the city.

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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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