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Springfield has voted for the 5 candidates to be on the City Council at large. Jose Delgado, Tracye Whitfield, Kateri Walsh and Brian Santaniello will all retain their seats, while Justin Hurst is voted in for the first time. The people of West Springfield have voted for Mayor Reichelt to retain the job. In Westfield Michael McCabe has held onto the Mayor job for a third term. For a full list of Western Ma election results, just click the link in the heading of this section.

Springfield police took two illegal motorized bikes as they continue to take more off-highway vehicles off city streets. Neither the mini dirt bike, nor the moped were registered or insured when police saw them riding on Florence Street near the Six Corners rotary.

Many people are feeling the food pinch, but a local woman who is the founder of The Compassion Project, is aiming to serve 2,000 meals to those in need this Thanksgiving in Holyoke, marking the 23rd year of her initiative. She said it something God placed on her heart to give back, and to be a beacon of hope to people

There has been some local buzz around the Thunderbirds after they signed a former Boston Bruin Legend, Milan Lucic, to a professional tryout. He joins Springfield as he continues his effort to return to the NHL, after spending 17 years in the league, include almost a decade in Boston

If you or someone you know could use a little extra help putting food on the table right now, we’ve got some resources that might make things a bit easier. The organizations below have been preparing to be able to make sure you do not need to go hungry. We’re here to remind you — you’re not alone, and there’s hope and help right here in our community.

Springfield launched an emergency food drive yesterday to help those in the city in need. The food drive will run through at least the rest of the month, where nonperishables are collected at city libraries, and distributed to Springfield pantries. As a reminder, there are a list of pantries you can visit if you have a need at the q 997 dot com just click the banner

The State has announced construction updates for the ‘X’ intersection in Springfield that are set to take place throughout November. This month construction work will be from 7am to 3:30, and feature more water pipe replacement work, asphalt removal and restoration, excavation, trenching and more

With November being Puerto Rican Heritage Month, the City of Springfield celebrated with its annual Puerto Rican flag raising ceremony on Monday. Held on the front steps of Springfield’s City Hall, officials, including Mayor Sarno, all gathered to honor Puerto Rican

Families in Chicopee are already gearing up for Christmas by tagging their trees early at Paul Bunyan’s Farm & Nursery. Hundreds, actually have already tagged one. The busiest 3 days are immediately following Christmas, so many like to stop by early to reserve their tree

Veterans Day is a week away, and yesterday, Springfield announced it’s annual Veteran of the Year award winner, Elmer J. McMahon, a retired member of the Springfield Police Department and Vietnam War vet who served from 1966 to 1968.  It’s part of the city’s effort to thank those who’ve served our country and put their lives on the line for our freedom

Some local towns and cities are gearing up for elections tomorrow, including in West Springfield where they have a vote for Mayor, and 16 ballot questions to decide on. As of Friday afternoon, 2,300 early ballots have already been cast through early voting, both in person and by mail, indicating strong voter turnout

Kate’s Kitchen, part of Providence Ministries in Holyoke, is preparing for an increased demand as they serve lunch and dinner to those in need Monday through Friday. So far this year, they have served more than 74,000 meals. As a reminder if you're in need of food assistance, we have a banner at the q 997 dot com giving you plenty of places ready to help

A community staple in the city of Chicopee is moving to a new location, leaving many with mixed emotions. The well-known train car from the now-closed Bernie’s Dining Depot was moved on Friday. Its new location will be at the Chester Railway Station and Museum. While many are sad to see it go, they're also glad it'll serve a new purpose

It's not too late to help out those in the Caribbean in need after Hurricane Melissa...the category 5 storm wiped out power to 70% of Jamaica, led to significant infrastructure damage, including the closure of 82 roads. Convoy of Hope is deploying aid, and we have a link to support their recovery efforts on our website

The ninth annual Bear Hole Trail Race returned to West Springfield on Saturday morning, bringing in dozens to raise money for West Springfield elementary schools. Originally started nine years ago to support a conservation restriction at Bear Hole Reservoir, the race now serves as a fundraiser for West Springfield’s third and fifth-graders, which funds field trips into nature for hands-on learning

Police in Springfield continued their efforts to keep city streets clean with their Quality-of-Life Park and Walk patrols. Officers were in the area of Kensington School on Wednesday and issued 64 ordinance tickets, as well as 2 parking tickets for various violations. Members of the city’s code enforcement handed out an additional 34 tickets

The rumble of large machinery, whine of chain saws and chopping of machetes echoed through communities across the northern Caribbean on Thursday as they dug out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa and surveyed the damage left behind. Emergency relief flights were landing at Jamaica’s main international airport as crews distributed water, medicine and other basic supplies, while helicopters dropped food

The Gandara Center celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated outpatient behavioral health clinic in Springfield, thanks to a $600,000 grant. This development is aimed at enhancing behavioral health services for the Hispanic community in Springfield.

Perhaps you've heard about Convoy of Hope's efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa....and we have a banner at the q 997 dot com linking to their site if you want to help out...but local efforts are underway as well. Many people here are preparing shipments of canned food to help those in need after the storm. A Jamaican restaurant in Springfield "The Talk of the Town" is helping lead efforts

With the delays in SNAP benefits, the United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) is expanding its direct service efforts to meet the surge in local demand. The organization announced this week that it is providing emergency food through two community pantries in Springfield and Holyoke, in addition to more than 27 partner agencies operating micro-pantries across the region.

Hard to believe but it has been 14 years since the historic October 2011 snowstorm in Massachusetts. The snowstorm cut power to thousands of residents for several days and close to a week in some spots, and over a foot of snow blanketed the area. The storm resulted in major tree damage and shortages of food and gas. It stands as the most significant October snowstorm since records began in Chicopee in the 1940s.

Fire officials in Western Mass held a press conference on Wednesday, urging you to check your smoke detectors, as many may be nearing the end of their lifespan. State and local fire officials warned that smoke alarms installed in 2015, which are required by Massachusetts fire code to have a sealed 10-year battery life, are approaching the end of their usefulness

A public forum was held in Springfield on Wednesday night for municipal candidates ahead of the upcoming elections. The event provided candidates with a platform to address voters and discuss key city issues. City elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th.

orest Park transformed into a glowing fall wonderland last night for the ‘Pumpkin Stroll After Dark,’ bringing joy to families with nearly 250 flickering jack-o-lanterns. The event, hosted by Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield Parks Department, offers a festive experience with apple cider and doughnuts, running nightly from 5 to 8 PM until October 31st.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early this morning, after slamming through Jamaica yesterday. The storm caused widespread damage in Jamaica to infrastructure and cut internet access for most people. It hit the island as one of the strongest Category 5 storms on record, at one stage packing 185 m.p.h. winds. It's still too early to full assess damages and potential loss of life

An initial new Springfield Courthouse rendering is out, giving the people of Springfield an idea of what it could look like. The most significant design is a custom two-story translucent glass art wall, paying homage to the rich historic past of the “City of Firsts,” while highlighting the importance of the judicial system in our community.

The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office held its annual appreciation dinner and awards ceremony, recognizing those who contribute to community safety efforts. They highlighted the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative, which has been credited with a significant reduction in crime, with a report indicating a 48 percent decline in simple assaults in Holyoke and Chicopee between 2017 and 2021.

The Springfield Rescue Mission is preparing for an increased demand for food assistance as the government shutdown continues to affect services. They're also looking to expand their Operation Sunshine mobile feeding unit from three to five days a week. If benefits end at the end of the week, the Mission has a free breakfast public breakfast and lunch each day

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