State says bring elementary students back to school

The Reminder Publishing News Staff
deaton@thereminder.com

BOSTON – Officials are seeking to have all elementary-age students in the commonwealth return to in-person learning by April. ...
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Area towns receive grants to teach fire safety

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – The Baker-Polito Administration has announced almost $2 million in grants for elementary school fire education programs and fire safety grants for older populations. ...
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Velis selected to chair Veteran and Federal Affairs Committee

Dennis Hackett
dhackett@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – On Feb. 12, the Massachusetts State Senate ratified its committee positions for the 2021-2022 legislative session and 2nd Hampden and Hampshire state Sen. John Velis was named the chair of the Veteran and Federal Affairs Joint Committee....
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Blake’s philanthropy can be seen around the region

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS – Not many people can claim to have had a major impact on the places that helped shape them and that meant a lot to them during their lifetime, but S. Prestley Blake, the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation co-founder who died on Feb. 11, left a philanthropic legacy that will last......
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Community Outlook 2021: NAMI-WM warns of mental health crisis created by pandemic

Dennis Hackett
dhackett@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – With mental illness on the rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic mental health resources across the state are spread thin and seeing higher demand including the National Alliance of Mental Illness Western Massachusetts (NAMI-WM) offices....
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Community Outlook 2021: Habitat for Humanity looking forward to 2021 after tough year

Dennis Hackett
dhackett@thereminder.com

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – While the COVID-19 pandemic set the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity back in terms of funding and its projects, they are looking forward to the virus subsiding and a better 2021....
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Community Outlook 2021: Eversource promises safety as it takes over for Columbia Gas

Chris Maza
cmaza@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – Having taken over natural gas services in Massachusetts in 2020, Eversource says it is now in the process of assessing the entire delivery system in order to determine the most effective ways to implement upgrades to improve safety and efficient delivery....
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Professor explores radicalization of the American right

Sarah Heinonen
sheinonen@thereminder.com

WESTERN?MASS – In light of the riot on Jan. 6, in which supporters of former President Donald Trump and members from various far-right groups attacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of votes declaring Joe Biden as president, Reminder Publishing wanted to take a look at......
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Pioneer Valley Travel plots return

Miasha Lee

NORTHAMPTON – Pioneer Valley Travel (PVT) is a family-owned business located at 88 King St. in Northampton....
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Valley Flyer looks to increase ridership

Miasha Lee

WESTERN MASS. – On Aug. 30, 2019, Amtrak – in partnership with MassDOT – launched a new train service for Pioneer Valley residents called the Valley Flyer. ...
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Local tourist attractions plan return

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS – For Mary Kay Wydra, the president of the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2020 was not a good year....
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COVID–19 hits dog daycare industry, local businesses persevere

Miasha Lee

WESTERN MASS. – During this time, people are staying home more than ever and taking care of their pets. Reminder Publishing reached out to numerous local doggy day care facilities to see how they are faring through COVID-19....
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Eversource in process of assessing their natural gas services

Chris Maza
cmaza@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – Having taken over natural gas services in Massachusetts in 2020, Eversource says it is now in the process of assessing the entire delivery system in order to determine the most effective ways to implement upgrades to improve safety and efficient delivery....
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Sports betting gaining momentum

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – Follow the casino and gaming industry and you’ll quickly see the growth of sports betting across the nation....
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Exploring radicalization of the American right

Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS – In light of the riot on Jan. 6, in which supporters of former President Donald Trump and members from various far-right groups attacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of votes declaring Joe Biden as president, Reminder Publishing wanted to take a look at how.....
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Agawam, West Springfield assisting seniors in receiving vaccinations

Ryan Feyre
rfeyre@thewestfieldnewsgroup.com

AGAWAM/WEST SPRINGFIELD – Local officials in Agawam and West Springfield say they are doing everything they can to assist the senior population during the first step of Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. ...
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Legislators insist for larger Soldiers Home

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS – Sixty-six state representatives and 16 senators from across the commonwealth have signed a letter calling for the Baker Administration to reconsider current plans for a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, but one prominent legislator did not support the message....
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Area businesses react to end state’s of early closure mandate

The Reminder Publishing News Staff
cmaza@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – Two of Gov. Charlie Baker’s more controversial measures to fight the spread of coronavirus recently came to an end, news that was met with mixed reactions from local businesses....
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Towns navigate how to vaccinate seniors as phase two arrives

Sarah Heinonen
sarah@thereminder.com

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – At 105 years old, Thelma Brewster is the oldest resident at Glenmeadow, a life plan community in Longmeadow. She was the first person at the facility to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Jan. 23....
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Local franchise’s cut out of state relief programs

Payton North and Danielle Eaton
pnorth@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – While grants for small businesses and nonprofits are being issued from the state to aid in recouping revenue lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, local franchise owners are feeling cut out of relief programs....
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Legislators urge more vaccination sites here

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Jan. 25 more details about the commonwealth’s vaccination plans, including a vaccination site at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield....
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Teachers unions vote no confidence in education commish

Lauren LeBel

WESTERN MASS. – More than 100 teachers unions in Massachusetts have declared no confidence in the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and its Commissioner Jeff Riley, including several in Western Massachusetts....
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Local creates online space for those new to Pioneer Valley

Danielle Eaton
daniellee@thereminder.com

WESTERN MASS. – When Colleen Goodhue moved to the Pioneer Valley from New Hampshire in the middle of a pandemic she found herself unsure of where and how to get involved with the community....
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Neal witnesses chaos at Capitol building

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Richard Neal, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, said the statements and actions of President Donald Trump on Jan. 6 “demonstrated his lack of interest in the institution of governance.”...
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Fate of CASH Act stimulus bill is in the hands of Senate

G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

At press time the fate of the bill initially introduced by Congressman Richard Neal that would have increased personal stimulus checks to $2,000 is in the hands of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. ...
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