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The beginning of summer is here and city officials in Springfield have announced over $420,000 in grants to support local summer programs in the city. The funding will help boost different youth activities, including camps, sports, and educational events around the city. The goal is to ensure kids have safe and engaging opportunities throughout the summer months.

A man wanted for an armed robbery in Springfield was arrested after a police chase ended on I-291. Officers spotted the suspect’s vehicle near Main and Chestnut Streets and tried to pull him over. The driver refused to stop, hit two police cruisers, and was eventually stopped on the highway. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center with injuries, while his passenger was released

I dont think you would be surprsied to learn that the Big E brings in millions of dollars every year, but did you know that they donate 1% back to the town of West Springfield? This year, The Big E donated $371,000 to the town, its largest contribution to date to help fund local programs focused on youth, seniors, and education. It started in 1994 and to date over $5 million has been donated to the town through this initiative.

If you’ve ever been to Yankee Candle in South Deerfield and looked down at all those coins people throw in the moat they have there, then you might be wondering what is done with all that money? Yankee Candle donates the coins. This time they donated 5 years worth of those coins to the Dakin Humane Society in Springfield. Volunteers have 48 baskets of coins to count.

The city of Chicopee is using something called Project Lifesaver. The program uses technology and rapid-response teams to help find people with conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and autism if they wander off. It’s free technology and is wearable with a radio frequency that law enforcement can track to bring these people home safely to their loved ones. You can contact the Chicopee PD if you’re interested.

In West Springfield the mayor addressed concerns over a homeless encampment at Lagodich Park. The city is looking to respond, but there are also resources in Springfield that are available to help One of those organizations is Springfield Rescue Mission. Our friends at the mission are known for taking people in from across the greater Springfield area, and this current situation is no different. They have a public breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. And there’s been an over 40% increase in attendance at both.

It was a proud day for the Chicopee Fire Department as they promoted two of their own—one to captain and one to lieutenant—during a formal pinning ceremony. The event took place on Wednesday, with friends, family, and fellow firefighters in attendance to celebrate their achievements. These promotions highlight the department’s commitment to leadership and continued excellence in serving the Chicopee community.

The city of Westfield takes pride in the game of baseball….that’s why it was really special that Westfield’s own Starfires baseball team showed up at a local middle school for a big STEM showcase. If you’re not familiar STEM is an educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math to encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. The kids were showing off science and engineering projects, and the players jumped in to help and cheer them on.

The Springfield Police are asking for your help. An elderly man in Springfield went missing yesterday afternoon. His name is Victor Vazquez. He’s 79 years old and was last seen Tuesday afternoon leaving his home near Nagle Street.If you see him, you’re asked to contact the Springfield Police.

Another phone scam for you to be aware of today. It’s where callers pretend to be Springfield PD sergeants— with real officer names—to pressure people into believing there’s a legal issue, like a warrant for failing jury duty. These scammers then demand money: they might ask you to withdraw cash or pay through Bitcoin machines, apps, or gift cards. Most reports are coming out of Longmeadow right now, but anyone in the area could get a call. If you get one of these calls, hang up nd check in with the police directly at (413)  787‑6355

Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are on the rise especially among our youth…and you’ll be encouraged to hear about Agawam schools as they just kicked off a new behavioral health pilot this year, teaming up with Boston Children’s Hospital and state programs to bring counseling, training, and expert support right into the schools. It’s only a pilot now, but the hope is to expand it statewide by next school year.

You can connect with your neighbors at a brand new community space that just opened in Springfield’s Upper Hill neighborhood. It’s right at  935  State Street on the AIC campus, right across from the MLK Church. It’s a welcoming hub for meetings, events, and neighborhood programs.

The situation in LA seems to be escalating with the protests that are going on there… The President has ordered an additional 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to help with the situation despite pushback from the Governor of California.

It’s graduation time and Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology held its Class of 2025 graduation ceremony at Symphony Hall in Springfield yesterday. Among those honored was a heartwarming father-daughter duo from Feeding Hills who shared their passion for music during the event.

Wait times at the ER can be hours…Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton is unveiling a $26 million overhaul and expansion of its emergency department which includes a new “cart model” for quicker resupply which should help with wait times there. This whole new project includes a revamped ER that will be 40% larger. It will begin to be used in phases starting in July with full operation by early next year.

If you live or work in East Longmeadow, then you may have been wondering what that HUGE statue is doing there. It’s known as “Plantation Man.” It was originally installed as the Uncle Sam figure at Mutual Ford in Springfield during the 1970s, the statue later stood for years at the former Plantation Inn in Chicopee. It’s going to be painted in red, white and blue just in time for East Longmeadow’s Fourth of July Parade and will be permanently installed in the parking lot shared by East Village Tavern and Allied Flooring & Paint.

Anytime is a good time for ice cream…and a new ice cream shop has opened in Chicopee. It’s called SunRise Sweets - it’s at 28  Center Street. They recently celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon‑cutting ceremony. According to their website, the most popular items are the acai bowl, mini banana split, strawberry cheesecake shake, and caramel cookie butter shake.

You may have hit some traffic yesterday in Greater Springfield that’s because The Ironman 70.3 took place on Sunday Over 1,500 athletes took part—it started with a 1.2-mile swim in the Connecticut River, followed by a 56-mile bike ride through towns including West Springfield and Holyoke, and finished with a 13.1-mile run through downtown Springfield. The course had some tough spots with rolling hills and sharp turns, plus the weather shifted throughout the day, making it even more challenging. Tons of people came out to cheer, and the athletes seemed really pumped about the whole experience

A heads up for you if you work or live in Northampton! I-91 will be closed between exits 23 and 26 nightly for work on new highway bridges. Drivers will be detoured off I-91 to routes 5 and 10 in Northampton during overnight hours. From Sunday, June 8th through Thursday, June 12th, and again on Sunday, June 15th, the highway will be closed to traffic between 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Holyoke’s claim to fame is Volleyball…and The International Volleyball Hall of Fame hosted the 10th annual “Battle of the Badges” tournament on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Holyoke Community College. Police and fire teams from local communities like Chicopee, Holyoke, Springfield, West Springfield, plus squads from New York State and NYC, competed in a friendly first-responder volleyball showdown, following a celebratory “Night of Heroes” kickoff on Friday

If you happened to be downtown on Saturday you may have wondered what was going on at the Mass Mutual Center. It was The Family Expo! Over 100 local organizations were there offering support for families and students—everything from early reading help to college and career guidance. With live music, student art, and raffles, it felt more like a fun community celebration than just an info fair. It was an awesome way for Springfield families to connect, get support, and enjoy the day together.

40 years is a long time, and after 40 years, all 13 locations of Smithland Pet & Garden Center will close. The company originally known as myAgway and Dave’s Soda and Pet City said this decision was difficult but necessary. They have locations in both western Massachusetts and across Connecticut, but there's no public timetable for the closure