Springfield residents seek greater accountability, explanation of police complaints

by Sarah Heinonen | Mar 20, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

Commissioner Cee Jackson addresses residents at the Board of Police Commissioners annual meeting on March 13.Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Board of Police Commissioners conducted its annual meeting to present the yearly...

Springfield police identify alleged gunman in Sci-Tech incident

by G. Michael Dobbs | Mar 20, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

Springfield police have obtained an arrest warrant for Chantz Dudley of Chicopee in connection with the shooting inside Springfield’s High School of Science and Technology on March 11. This photo is from Dudley’s September 2022 arrest on firearms charges.Photo credit:...

Springfield police superintendent sets date for her departure

by G. Michael Dobbs | Mar 20, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Elected official, friends, family members and officers of the Springfield Police Department gathered outside of the police headquarters on March 12 for the announcement of the last day for Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood. Clapprood said that April...

Healey’s visit shines light on WNE programs, Mass Leads Act

by Laura Mason | Mar 20, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Springfield

Gov. Maura Healey speaks to students, faculty and visitors at Western New England University on March 12.Reminder Publishing photo by Laura Mason SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Maura Healey visited Western New England University on March 12 as part of her Mass Leads Road Show,...

Elected officials lend support to libraries, readers’ freedom

by Tyler Lederer | Mar 19, 2024 | Agawam, Easthampton, Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

AGAWAM — At a legislative breakfast Feb. 16, library advocates told local legislators to prioritize funding libraries and promoted legislation tackling book bans and eBook/audiobook  publishing practices. “Legislators please, I hope you will make library funding...

Shutesbury Library project awarded neurodiversity grant

by Doc Pruyne | Mar 19, 2024 | Franklin County, Local News

SHUTESBURY — Earlier this month, the M.N. Spear Memorial Library received a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association. The grant will help library staff to figure out how to better serve neurodiverse residents in the new library building, soon to enter the...