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We are getting closer to the opening of the new state-of-the art Soldiers Home in Holyoke. It’s scheduled to officially open its doors in the fall of 2028, but a ceremonial ribbon cutting is happening today and the families of those lost in the virus outbreak at the old home, will be there to see it. There will be a permanent memorial garden installed near the entrance of the building honoring the 76 veterans who lost their lives during the outbreak

It's a staple in the community every Christmas season...the massive lit Christmas tree in the East Longmeadow rotary. But will it be here to stay? The town is trying to raise money to replace the Christmas tree, hoping to keep a longtime holiday tradition alive for years to come.

Students and staff at Windsor High School got free heart screenings Tuesday in memory of a student who passed after going into cardiac arrest during football practice three years ago this month. Five screening stations were set up at the school, and students lined up when classes let out.

It's almost decision time at the polls and in Enfield, people are weighing whether to green light a school construction project or not. The project, which is set to cost $511 million, would completely renovate four elementary schools, close one, and convert another into an academy. While the schools are really old, pushing it through means a spike in property taxes

The Holyoke Planning Board is scheduled to hold a public hearing next month on a proposal to build a new Walmart Supercenter at the site of the former Kmart. The proposed Walmart would include retail and grocery sales, a garden center and a drive-through pharmacy, as well as an online pickup area

Cooler temperatures have not eliminated the risk of brush fires in western Mass or Northern CT, where dry vegetation remains a potential source of fire, local crews said. A little one popped up in Chicopee yesterday. The danger season for brush fires is expected to end soon

If you own a home in Springfield, or maybe you know someone who does, you now have more time to apply for the city’s targeted tax relief program. The deadline for applications has been extended to Dec. 4 by 4 p.m. The tax relief program is aimed at providing extra help to lower income homeowners who don’t qualify for existing exemptions.

Community and faith leaders sat down with the developers of the new Springfield Courthouse last night to stress the importance of local businesses and minority workers getting a fair share in the upcoming project. The project is set to employ about 3,000 people over four years.

Phone free schools...more of them are coming to Western Mass after a state wide grant to help limit descriptions...East Longmeadow &n Northampton schools are just a couple of the beneficiaries. The grant money is expected to pay for lockable phone storage and other technology, staff training, outreach to families, and data to track how the policies are working.

If you're in Western Mass...and I'm sure Hartford area has something similar....you're being reminded to look for home heating assistance to help manage rising heating costs this winter. There is a new home heating assistance program aimed at helping thousands of middle-class Massachusetts families who have traditionally been ineligible for state energy aid.

No one seems to want this...No councilors, homeowners or committee officials at a recent Springfield city meeting spoke in support of moving forward with the Page Blvd biomass project. Building permits for developer Palmer Renewable Energy were reinstated earlier this year...but opponents are concerned about air quality ramifications

With the Nov. 3 election less than a week away and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot now passed, early voters are wasting no time getting to the polls. The Springfield Election Commssioner commented yesterday on how busy it's been.  She said more than 12,000 mail-in ballots have been sent in, and just over 1,000 in-person votes have been cast so far in Springfield

The Massachusetts National Guard has been activated, as wildfires from New York have now spread into Western Mass. Right now it's in the Berkshires, and fire officials are working hard to keep it contained. Those in affected communities have been urged to avoid the area

Fireworks are a summer staple...but they're slowly becoming a thing of the past for several communities. East Longmeadow first shifted away from them due to construction at the launching site...and now in part due to the cost. And South Hadley has already cancelled theirs for next summer, citing a rising cost in fireworks. There aren’t any current plans for replacement entertainment like a laser show or drone

After a successful first year, the pumpkin stroll in Forest park is returning this year. The event will happen from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the historic Aquatic Gardens, where you can see hundreds of flickering pumpkins displayed throughout the gardens. Complimentary cider and donuts will also be available.

With grocery prices rising, Springfield’s Indian Orchard neighborhood has a brand new resource to help those dealing with hunger. It was launched by the Indian Orchard Citizen’s Council and it’s next to Myrtle Street Park, stocked with canned goods, fruit, soup, and other essentials. Local businesses and donors have filled the pantry to capacity.

Debate over Agawam Public Schools’ mascot and team name has resurfaced following a City Council resolution supporting the school committee’s authority over district traditions. Massachusetts does not have a statewide law banning Native American mascots in public schools, though lawmakers and tribal nations have pushed for such

With only a week away until Baystate Health acquires Mercy Medical Center, some doctors are unsure about their future and some patients are sharing their concerns. In April, Trinity Health, Mercy’s parent company, said staffing shortages and a growing move to outpatient care are the reasons for shifting its services to Baystate Health. Some former Mercy patients seem to now be having health insurance coverage issues at Baystate

A fight involving a taser and pepper spray on a bus to Springfield International Charter School last week has raised question about the lack of bus monitors in Springfield. The school district said it all comes down to a lack of staffing. Officials are encouraging the public to consider applying

The Maple Shopping Center in Longmeadow, right on the Enfield line, has officially reopened after years of reconstruction following fire that tore through the property nearly five years ago. While many are excited to see the center return, some say they miss features from the original plaza, such as Armata's, which has moved to Hampden

3 local parks are getting some upgrades...In Chicopee, Szot Park is getting a $1 million dollar grant to help reconstruct paths, support a new splash pad, build accessible bathrooms, and more. Five Mile Pond Park in Springfield is also getting $1 million for equipment and paving improvements.

You may be seeing QR codes on Springfield police cruisers throughout the city....it's part of a new effort to make it easier to report compliments or complaints. The digital codes link directly to feedback forms that the Springfield Police Internal Investigations Unit monitors. The forms are also avalailable online

Chicopee showed out at the Price Rite on Memorial Drive on Saturday to get rid of expired and unwanted prescription drugs in a secure location. It was part of the 31st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Since the initiative launched in 2010, the program has recovered more than 21 million pounds of prescription drugs.

Bushnell Park in Hartford turned pink Saturday for this year’s More Than Pink Walk, an annual event that raises money to end cancer. October is Cancer Awareness Month. So far, more than $200,000 has been raised, and more than 4,000 people were expected to attend

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