AGAWAM | FEEDING HILLS | WEST SPRINGFIELD
John Ashley data shows academic growth in students
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The John Ashley School in West Springfield is working hard to ensure academic growth in the young students for the 20252026 school year and the data certainly proves it.
John Ashley School Principal Serenity Greenwood gave a presentation on the data and school climate at the School Committee meeting on May 5.
Greenwood’s presentation was organized by strategic priorities, such as the school’s commitment to inclusive practices, rigorous and equitable instruction and the targeted support necessary to ensure success for every student.
She began by showing data for the school’s strategy of rigorous and equitable instruction in pre-K. Greenwood compared data results from two studies on literacy and math skills, one done at the beginning of the year and the other in the middle of the year.
Students who met expectations in literacy increased about 35% and students who met expectations in math increased about 40% since the beginning of the year. Greenwood said the end of year assessments will be done in the next few weeks.
The school also used Heggerty, a phonemic research program, to study the same skillsets and provide more specific data on which topic areas students excelled at most.
“It shows us that our highest skill areas tend to be around blending syllables, putting our words together and segmenting,” Greenwood said. “Our lowest performing skill, according to the data we have right now, is on isolating ending sounds, which developmentally is typically more
of a mid-to-late kindergarten skill anyways.”
She detailed the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills test, which is a set of assessments used to measure foundational reading and literacy skills like phonics and oral reading.
The data had the same beginning and middle-of-year format and showed a 12% increase of students at benchmark skill and a 10% increase of students above benchmark.
Greenwood also presented data showcasing the impact that the work going on in pre-K classrooms has on the kindergarten data.
“You can see the impact of the [John Ashley] pre-K is evident in the data,” Greenwood said. “The students who attended the
John Ashley pre-K outperformed their peers in our JA kindergarten across all benchmarks.”
Fifty-four percent of students from the John Ashley pre-K program were at or above benchmark, compared to the 23% students, at or above benchmark, who did not attend pre-K at the school.
“I wanted to pull this for you so that you can see the efforts that have gone into putting together the pre-K program, and what it’s doing for our data and getting our students ready for kindergarten and the years beyond,” Greenwood said. “At the middle of the year, you can see we went from 49% to 69% for our students that attended the JA pre-K, so I was really excited about that … I know everybody is under a lot of stress trying to figure out where
Mayor Christopher Johnson joined the City Council on May 4 to present a
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Teacher brings history to life
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the money goes and how it’s utilized, and I just really felt that this was a nice time to highlight and celebrate that this is a place where our taxpayers’ money and our district’s efforts are making a remarkable difference.”
Greenwood said that students need to feel comfortable and safe in the classroom and presented examples of the school’s methods that were used to accomplish that this year.
Some methods to ensure a good social, emotional and behavioral health include learning groups for emotional regulation, social skills and coping, structured sessions using a therapy dog to practice empathy and positive social interaction and individual counseling by schoolbased clinicians for students needing extra support.
John Ashley School Principal Serenity Greenwood presents to the West Springfield School Committee on May 5.
Photo credit: West Side Media
STRM: Gonzalez reacts to Baystate’s merger with Mercy
By Ryan Feyre
rfeyre@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health’s recent acquisition of Mercy Medical Center, set to become official on Nov. 1, is making waves throughout the region as people scramble to prepare for what this will mean for health care in Western Massachusetts.
On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez sat down with hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet to discuss what is on the horizon in light of this announcement and how he plans to gather more information about the merger.
As of press time, Gonzalez met with Baystate Health President and CEO Peter Banko to gain more clarity about the impact the merger may have and how the decision may affect personnel, services and the role Mercy has in the region. He shared that he’s also privately met with the speaker of the state’s House of Representatives and is working with the Department of Public Health and personnel at Baystate to determine the best path forward following the announcement.
“We’ve been trying to make sure that we are in tune to what are the needs of that potential
merger, but also more importantly, upon getting the notification, what changes we may potentially see that can adversely affect the services of the personnel at Mercy,” Gonzalez said.
The Springfield Democrat foresees a bevy of potential health impacts hitting the area when this merger officially takes shape. He mentioned the birthing center closing at Mercy and the overflow of people in the region’s hospitals as potential concerns for people who need hospital services in a prompt manner.
“Sometimes we may have seen in the past a bulging of people going to emergency rooms across our hospital systems, and that may have a negative impact,” Gonzalez said. “And that’s a five-minute to 20-minute delay on providing medical attention to somebody in an emergency situation, [which] could, you know, cost lives.”
On the topic of whether he thinks the merger will prevent Mercy from shutting down, a concern delegates and residents have had in the past, Gonzalez said that “mergers are like marriages,” and “many marriages end up in divorce and changes need to happen.”
“That’s why it’s important that
we get answers directly on what they foresee are potential changes or challenges, and how can the state be impactful and find a system through this process,” Gonzalez said.
He noted that Baystate and Mercy are economic engines for the region “in so many ways,” whether it be through the birth centers or local pharmacy at Mercy. In that same breath, Gonzalez said the merger carries some potential drawbacks such as a loss of jobs, a problem he said will hopefully be addressed in future discussions with hospital leadership.
“We hope that whatever bargaining rights [doctors and nurses] have at Mercy can continue to remain,” Gonzalez said.
He shared that his job as a state representative is to serve the people, and although some are excited about the merger, he wants to make sure it doesn’t negatively impact residents in our region.
“I believe that government is for the people, by the people,” Gonzalez said. “Now is the prime time to be echoing your sentiments as to what you feel is a need. And if we can attach a cost to it that can be obtained, then we need to work on those efforts.”
Readers can listen to the full podcast episode with Gonzalez by visiting thereminder.com/ our-podcast or searching “So That Reminds Me” on your
Banker in Springfield and Hartford among 40 Under Forty honorees
SPRINGFIELD — Beacon Bank, formerly Berkshire Bank, is pleased to announce that Steven Costa, commercial banker in the bank’s Springfield & Hartford region, has been recognized for his outstanding leadership with a 40 Under Forty Award for 2026 by BusinessWest.
Based in Springfield, Costa manages a multimillion-dollar commercial and industrial loan portfolio, supporting clients and businesses across Western Massachusetts and the Hartford area.
During his nearly seven years with Beacon Bank, he has earned multiple promotions and is widely regarded for his disciplined approach, financial expertise and commitment to client success.
BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty Awards celebrate young business and civic leaders throughout Western Massachusetts who are recognized as role models for their peers based on professional achievement, leadership, and a strong commitment to community involvement. Cos-
ta and the other 2026 honorees will be recognized at a BusinessWest awards event on June 11 in Springfield.
“Steve’s leadership, professionalism and dedication to his clients, colleagues and the community truly set him apart,” said Jim Hickson, president of Beacon Bank’s Springfield & Hartford region. “He brings an unmatched level of enthusiasm and expertise to everything he does, and this recognition is a well deserved reflection of the impact he
makes every day.”
A resident of Feeding Hills, Costa has nearly 10 years of experience in commercial banking and holds his Certified Public Accountant designation. He is actively engaged in the local community, serving on the Square One Finance Committee, the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Audit Committee and the Executive Leadership Committee for the American Cancer Society’s Massachusetts Golf Tournament.
State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez joined the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me.”
Fenton stages bid for District 8 seat on Governor’s Council
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield
City Councilor Michael Fenton has announced that he will run against incumbent Tara Jacobs to represent Western Massachusetts on the Governor’s Council, an influential body that reviews judicial appointments and advocates for the state’s judicial infrastructure needs.
The Governor’s Council is a body of eight members, presided over by the lieutenant governor. The council meets once a week to consent on the governor’s choice of judges, clerk magistrates and members of the Parole, Appellate Tax, Industrial Accident and Industrial Accident Reviewing boards, as well as public administrators, notaries and justices of the peace. Governor’s Council members also advise the governor on major outlays from the state treasury, such as building courthouses, and on pardons and
commutations.
“The Governor’s Council is really a check on the governor,” Fenton said. “It’s the perfect complement of my skill set. This position really needs someone who has legal training to scrutinize judicial appointments.”
Fenton has been an attorney for 17 years, most recently with Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin. He is also a professor at Western New England University School of Law. He added that his 14 years spent on the City Council have provided him with the experience to thoroughly vet decisions based on facts and information.
For Fenton, reviewing the governor’s selection of judges is among the most consequential decisions. The process of being named a judge is “rigorous and invasive,” he said. “It is deemed by many to be the highest accomplishment of an attorney.”
He said candidates must demonstrate that they have the “highest ethical standards, the appropri-
ate demeanor” and the requisite background. “Life-changing moments happen in these courtrooms,” Fenton said.
Because the districts are population-based, District 8 is the largest geographical district, consisting of 102 cities and towns west of Palmer. Fenton said the Governor’s Council provides “a chance to elevate Western Massachusetts people to more positions.” Fenton said no current members of the state Supreme Judicial Court, the Appellate Tax Board or the Parole Board hail from Western Massachusetts.
“The council should be doing more than just reacting,” Fenton said. “They should be recruiting members of the bar, so vacancies don’t occur, or if they do, they are as short as possible.”
As a member of the Governor’s Council, Fenton said, “Investing in our judicial infrastructure would be a top priority.” He referenced the courthouses in Pittsfield and Springfield as just
two of those in need of review. Particularly close to home for Fenton is the replacement for the Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, Springfield’s district court.
“When I ran for this position four years ago, it was a campaign issue. We still don’t have a site. We deserve a first-class hall of justice for Hampden County,” Fenton said. “For a while, the state refused to acknowledge there was a problem with the Springfield courthouse. Meanwhile, people are going to work in a sick building.”
Fenton said there are also smaller courthouses that should also be reviewed, including ones in Chicopee and Northampton.
Aside from courthouses, he said, “If there are large projects that have gone unfunded — roads, bridges — I could use the position’s proximity to the governor to advocate for that.”
For Fenton, the position in Boston would be all about Western Massachusetts. He said, “If the Governor’s Council isn’t going to advocate for this, who will?”
Eversource, Agri-Mark partner to modernize West Springfield plant
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eversource and Agri-Mark, the farmer-owned dairy cooperative behind the Cabot Creamery, McCadam, and Agri-Mark Whey and Dairy Proteins brands, have completed a major energy efficiency upgrade at Agri-Mark’s West Springfield plant. They partnered on the installation of a high-efficiency mechanical vapor recompression unit, which is used in the production of condensed and powdered milk products. This equipment has resulted in significant reductions that help lower energy usage, reduce costs and support operational consistency and product quality.
Eversource provided incentives through the Mass Save programs for this project along with technical expertise and strategic planning to help Agri-Mark identify and implement energy-saving solutions that deliver mean-
ingful savings.
Agri-Mark retired its former MVR system in 2022 and began to rely more heavily on a steambased thermal vapor recompression system. This process was supplied by a natural gas-fired boiler, which raised fuel use and introduced temperature swings that contributed to additional maintenance and cleaning. The newly installed MVR system restores stable evaporation temperatures and enables the plant to perform energy-intensive processes more efficiently by recovering and reusing heat instead of relying on high-pressure steam. MVR technology captures heat from milk vapor, compresses it and reuses it as the next heat source, eliminating the need for fresh steam compared with conventional designs. In addition to the Eversource incentives, this project received grant support from the Northeast
Dairy Business Innovation Center, making a complex industrial retrofit financially practical for a cooperative owned by hundreds of dairy farm families across New England and New York.
The MVR upgrade is expected to reduce natural gas consumption by an estimated 967,000 therms per year, resulting in a lower overall energy usage and improved long-term affordability for the operation, not accounting for modest increases in electricity use.
To complete this system rebuild project, Eversource also partnered with Agri-Mark to install a new, energy-efficient Finisher TVR and next generation TVR technology, which will reduce natural gas consumption by an additional 110,000 therms annually. The equivalent gas savings from these combined projects replaces the greenhouse gas emissions that would arise from
driving over 14 million miles in a gas-powered car.
“This is an example of practical innovation that keeps essential manufacturing efficient and affordable, making day-to-day operations more predictable for a plant that runs every hour of the day,” said Penni McLean-Conner, Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy. “By pairing incentives with technical guidance, we helped Agri-Mark bring back a high-efficiency MVR system that cuts fuel use, stabilizes operations, and supports the cooperative’s long-term sustainability goals, benefiting the farmers who own it and the communities they serve.”
Operational benefits are already evident through more consistent product temperatures, less maintenance, quieter operations and longer batch times — im-
provements that translate into operational reliability, labor efficiencies and better use of equipment. For a high-volume plant that operates continuously to support the region’s dairy farmers, these gains translate to more stable and efficient production at the scale the operation demands.
“For our farmer owned cooperative, sustainable operations matter,” said Jed Davis, Vice President of Strategic Engagement & Sustainability at Agri Mark. “This upgrade lowers our environmental footprint while continuing to make award winning dairy products. Our ongoing partnership with Eversource strengthens our ability to operate responsibly and supports the long term viability of our cooperative.”
To learn more about the energy efficiency programs available to businesses of all sizes, visit Eversource.com.
Michael Fenton is a Springfield City Councilor and is running for Governor’s Council for District 8. Reminder Publishing file photo
Council approves Johnson’s capital improvement plan
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — Mayor Christopher Johnson joined the City Council on May 4 to present a five-year capital improvement plan. The council unanimously supported the plan, which will cost more than $2 million from the general fund each year.
In recent years, Agawam invested in a new police station, replaced the roof of the library and purchased a tower truck for the Fire Department. The city is in the process of building a new high school, which Johnson said was the largest capital project in Agawam’s history “by a long, long, long shot.” The high school is on time and on budget, Johnson said, adding, “Our friends in Washington aren’t making it any easier with the craziness that’s going on in the world.”
Despite these major investments, the laundry list of roadwork, water mains and roof replacements dwarves the projects done in recent years. The plan spans fiscal year 2027, which begins in July, and FY31. Johnson began by listing several “small” projects that will be paid for by the city’s general fund. Among these were a new $170,000 boiler at the DPW and a $125,000 feasibility study to look at turning the Perry Lane site into a recreation center once the new Early Childhood Education Center is built at the
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
AGAWAM — The Agawam City Council voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting legislation to create “One Touch Make Ready” applications in Massachusetts. The state legislation, House Bill 5290 and Senate Bill 2285, would streamline the legal application process for internet and other telecom providers.
high school. Johnson said roadway projects are a perennial need. The state will pay for some of these projects, such as paving Suffield and Southwick streets, and the Maple Street Safe Routes to School project. However, most of the road projects fall to the general fund, supplemented by Chapter 90 state aid. These projects include the controversial intersection at Suffield, Cooper and Rowley streets, expected to cost the town $800,000. Roadway projects also include sidewalk rehabilitation and extensions and traffic signal improvements.
Many of the projects focus on the Fire Department, which will need to replace a $55,000 generator and a $105,000 rescue boat in FY27. In FY28, emergency dispatchers, who manage calls for both the Fire and Police departments, will be trained on a new system in FY28, which will cost $225,000. Also in FY28, a replacement for the roof of the Fire Department headquarters will cost $245,000, and a new HVAC system in the building will be about $160,000.
The parking lots of both fire headquarters and Fire Station 2 will be repaved for $225,000 and furniture will be replaced for $55,000. Both of those projects are scheduled for FY29. New Fire Department radios will cost about $1.1 million between FY30 and FY31, and
replacing the overhead doors at both fire stations will be $180,000 in FY31.
When it comes to the city’s four elementary and two middle schools, Johnson said the plan is to keep them repaired and functioning for the next 25 to 30 years, when they will all be at the end of their useful lives. At that point, he said the city would build a single school to educate all Agawam K-8 students.
To make this plan a reality, the four elementary schools need new roofs, as they were last replaced in the late 1990s.
Johnson said the city has been accepted into the accelerated repair program of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, a semi-governmental entity that reimburses municipalities for a portion of eligible costs. In total, the four projects are expected to cost $5.45 million, and Johnson said the MSBA will reimburse about half of that cost. These projects are scheduled for FY27.
There are other school building projects, including a new roof for Doering Middle School for $1.85 million and new hallway flooring in the school for $235,000. Both of those projects are scheduled for FY30. Agawam Junior High also requires new flooring. Johnson explained that the “ugly” epoxy floor will be covered with a vinyl tile for $135,000 in FY27.
Projects on the horizon that are expected to be needed in a
decade or so include the expansion of the Fire Department headquarters and a renovation or replacement of Fire Station 2.
Johnson said many of the water and wastewater projects are “dictated” by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The projects for these departments are covered by their respective enterprise funds.
Water Main replacements will be needed on Main, South, Suffield, Silber and Mill streets, River Road, Belvidere and Brookline avenues and Perry Lane. The price tag for each of these ranges from $1.5 million to $4.6 million. The city’s water meters will be replaced over a six-year span, at a cost of $300,000 per year.
Councilor Robert Rossi asked what was going to be done with the old police station. Johnson told him it is currently storage for the high school building project. Once that is complete, it will need a structural assessment.
“The number one thing we hear is roads and sidewalks,” said Councilor Edward Borgatti, adding that there are no sidewalks running to the city’s two largest parks. Johnson countered, saying, “We’ve spent more money in the past three years on road paving than in the history of the town.”
Councilor Thomas Hendrick-
son asked the mayor to refresh residents’ memories of why the Feeding Hills Sewer project was not on the list. Johnson said it was “not financially feasible.”
A study by Tighe & Bond done more than a decade ago estimated the project would cost more than $100,000 for every home along the sewer line. He also said it would require multiple pump stations, but that there was not expected to be enough sewage to properly run those pumps.
Councilor Christine Rickmon had several questions about items not on the plan. Johnson explained that many projects with alternative funding sources, such as grants, and were not included. She also asked why there were no air conditioners in the schools. Johnson told her they were not built for air conditioning, and it would cost “tens of millions of dollars” to retrofit them.
Rickmon asked Johnson about a list of security issues at the schools that was provided to her anonymously.
Johnson explained that the schools have personnel that address security issues. He said he could not verify the accuracy of the list and added, “With all due frankness, I don’t believe it is particularly responsible to bring up anonymous lists that are provided to you.” Rickmon responded that she had the related work order numbers but otherwise let the matter drop.
Councilor Thomas Hendrickson, who sponsored the resolution along with Councilors Edward Borgatti and Rosemary Sandlin, said internet access is “one of the biggest cost-of-living issues” in Agawam. When combined with phone and cable, he said many residents are paying hundreds of dollars per month. He remarked, “That’s particularly frustrating when five minutes up the road, in Westfield,
they’re paying a fraction of what we do.”
Hendrickson said competition for Agawam’s major internet provider, Xfinity, is the solution to the cost issue. He recalled the internet provider GoNetSpeed was interested in serving the town’s customers, but said it had to pull out after it took three years to complete the applications for access to the poles. Hendrickson said similar legislation has been
passed by every other state in New England. If the legislation passes, Councilor Cecilia Calabrese said, there is a “dig once” provision allowing municipalities to require new developments with underground utilities to include empty conduits. This would make adding future utility service less disruptive. Councilor Phil McNair countered that it would increase the cost of construction projects,
which he is “concerned with.” Councilor George Bitzas said it “makes common sense” to support the legislation, and that it should be a nonpartisan issue. “Competition is saving money,” he said. Borgatti emphasized that the resolution is in support of the legislation and not in support of fiber internet, per say. He said, “It’s a small step, but at least it tells them that we’re alive.”
WEST SPRINGFIELD
By Peter Tuohy ptuohy@thereminder.com
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The energy at West Springfield’s St. Thomas the Apostle School is “electric and buzzing with civic engagement,” according to social studies teacher Erin Allard, who is at the center of a wide variety of activities designed to teach and engage students about the nation’s past.
Allard is in her second year with St. Thomas and said she has a goal of inspiring students and allowing them to see themselves as not just observers of the past, but as active participants in the community and engaged global citizens.
Her students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade are currently counting down the days for the country’s 250th anniversary.
“I strive to inspire my students to ‘be extra’ and never stop learning,” Allard said. “Whether that’s applying for scholarships or bringing their own global adventures back to the classroom, we have such an incredibly active and creative community of middle schoolers at St Thomas.”
Upcoming classroom activities to celebrate the nation’s milestone include a middle schoolwide party to be held on May 22, where a time capsule will be sealed away and opened in 10 years.
The time capsule consists of things from each student and interviews with older generations, which took place on the school’s grandparents day on May 1. Allard said the capsule will link the past, present and the future together.
The school will also welcome 11 guest speakers, including Mayor William Reichelt, state Rep. Michael Finn and Fire Chief Christopher Bartone to mentor
the eighth graders for a day.
“It’s a joy to watch these students become active participants in history,” Allard said. “I hope my own passion for exploration shows them that the world is wide open if you’re brave enough to seek it out.”
Allard will accompany the students on a field trip to Old Sturbridge Village, where students will engage in a hands-on workshop with the printing press.
“This field trip is the perfect way to bring history to life, as we dive into the fascinating world of the 18th-century printing press,” Allard said. “Seeing firsthand how a single machine could ignite the spirit of revolution and spread the message of liberty across the colonies is a lesson they’ll never forget.”
The field trip is possible through a grant program from the American Battlefield Trust. It is the largest battlefield land preservation organization in the country, having saved more than 60,000 acres of ground across 25 states.
The trust receives applications for the program from classrooms all around the country each year.
A press release stated that the process is competitive and demonstrates Allard’s commitment to excellence in the classroom.
Allard also took the students on a field trip to the Springfield Armory last year to learn about Shay’s Rebellion, also granted by the trust, and hopes to “go big next year and travel to Lexington and Concord,” she said.
Allard will also reach a historic milestone in her professional journey this summer, being accepted into the “triple crown” of history institute programs at Mount Vernon, Monticello and Colonial Williamsburg.
She said it was just about a 1% chance to be accepted into all three, with Monticello only pick-
ing about 30 teachers a year and attempts for the past three years to attend Mount Vernon.
“These opportunities build on a lifelong passion for exploration that has taken me from the ramparts of Fort Ticonderoga and the fields of Gettysburg to the vibrant cultures of Japan, China and New Orleans,” Allard said. “There is a unique magic in meeting fellow educators from across the country to exchange ideas and perspectives. I can’t wait to bring these fresh teaching strategies and authentic artifacts back to my classroom at St. Thomas, ensuring that the stories of our past continue to inspire and engage my students in new, immersive ways.”
Allard said that history comes alive when “we step beyond the pages of a textbook and into the world around us.” She added that her students are constantly teach-
ing one another, with one student giving a peer presentation on a trip to Rome and the Vatican, with another student from India teaching the class about Hinduism. The students are also currently striving for a shoutout on “CNN 10,” a 10-minute digital news show designed for students to learn global news and current events. One student even crafted a custom “CNN 10” pillow. Parents, teachers and students over the age of 13 can request St. Thomas for a shout-out in the program’s Youtube and Instagram comments, found by searching “CNN 10.”
Allard said she is deeply grateful to the teachers who have shaped her path, her family and her colleagues at St. Thomas for “reminding me every day to never stop learning, questioning or exploring.”
Teacher brings history to life for her students Investigation underway after Daggett Drive shooting
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni announced that an investigation is underway following a non-fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning in West Springfield.
At approximately 12:44 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, West Spring-
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has announced the decedent’s identity of the April 22, 2026, officer-involved shooting that occurred on George Street in West Springfield.
The decedent has been identified as Vladislav Verluka, 34, of West Springfield. At approximately 9:51 p.m. on April 22 the West Springfield Police Department responded to George Street for a reported domestic disturbance. During the incident, officers encountered an adult male armed with multiple kitchen knives. Due to circumstances that remain under investigation, an officer discharged his service weapon, striking the individual. Officers immediately rendered medical aid, and the man was
field Police responded to reports of shots fired in the area of the Route 5 shopping plaza near Home Depot on Daggett Drive. Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle fully engulfed in flames after crashing into a cart corral in the Home Depot parking lot. Investigators also recovered nu-
transported to Baystate Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the individual became combative with officers while armed and that a conducted energy weapon was deployed but proved ineffective prior to the use of deadly force.
The Massachusetts State Po-
merous shell casings in the area.
While officers were investigating the scene, authorities learned that a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound had arrived at Baystate Medical Center by ambulance. Preliminary investigation indicates the victim was injured during the incident at the
lice Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office is investigating the incident, in conjunction with the West Springfield Police Department.
The District Attorney’s Office will review the investigation and issue findings and conclusions regarding the use of force and the circumstances surrounding the death. These materials will be
shopping plaza. The victim is in stable condition.
This remains an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Hampden District Attorney’s State Police Detective Unit and the West Springfield Police Department.
once the review is complete and finalized. This remains an ongoing investigation.
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St. Thomas the Apostle School social studies teacher Erin Allard. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
BASEBALL
Third baseman Grayson Kearney picks the ground ball and then fires to first base for the out.
Agawam starter Parker Bean delivers a fifth inning strike.
Second baseman Pat Herlihy dives for the grounder, scrambles to his feet and nabs the runner at first.
The Brownies’ Alden Wykes receives the throw too late to prevent West Springfield’s Devon Mateo from swiping second base.
Devon Mateo is out by a whisker but advances the Terriers’ runner on a sacrifice bunt.
The victorious West Side Terriers pose for a photo after the game.
Agawam’s Gavin Cruz dives safely back to first on the pick-off attempt.
Jake Bennett pitched a complete game for West Side allowing only 4 hits and one run.
West Side assistant coach Pat Bassi relaxes in the dugout prior to the game.
The Brownies Dominic Chriscola gets a good pitch to hit.
Connor Glynn from Agawam stretches for the throw as Jake Bennett steals second.
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AGAWAM
AGAWAM PUBLIC LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the Agawam Public Library, located at 750 Cooper St. All events are free and open to the public. Some programs require registration. For more information or to reg-
ister, head to agawamlibrary.org or call 413-789-1550 ext. 3.
• Tea and Trivia — Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday, May 20, 2:30 p.m.
The questions are the same for both sessions, so register for the time you prefer.
• One-on-One Library Tech Help Appointments — Wednesday, May 20, 5:30-8 p.m.
• Writers Group hosted by Katherine Anderson — Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m.
WEST SPRINGFIELD WEST SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC
LIBRARY
The following events are organized by the West Springfield Public Library, located at 200 Park St. For more information or to register for programs, visit wspl.org or call 413736-4561 ext. 4. Adult and teen programs: Blue Jay Needle Felting Class with Tracy Kochanski — Tuesday, May 19, at 6 p.m.
• Teen LEGO Club! — Tuesday, May 19, from 6-7 p.m. Children’s programs:
• Pajama Storytime (ages birth to 5 years) — Monday, May 18, 6-6:45 p.m. Family Crafternoon — Tues-
day, May 19, 3-6 p.m. Video Game Night (ages 8-12) — Wednesday, May 20, 6-7:30 p.m. ARTS and SCIENCE ROCKS! (ages 9-12) — Friday, May 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
COIN CLUB MEETING
The West Springfield Coin Club will meet on Sunday, May 17, at 7 p.m. in the Mittineague Congregational Church, 1840 Westfield St. A 30 minute video will be shown on the topic of collecting early series of United States coins. Refreshments will be available. Guests are always welcome. For further
information, contact Peter Setian at 413-596-9871.
WSPL FRIENDS MAY MINI BOOK SALES
The Friends of the West Springfield Public Library will be hold a Mini Book Sale on Wednesday, May 20, from noon to 2 p.m. on the Library’s porch entryway. In case of inclement weather, the sale will be held in the library’s Community Room. Several genres of adult and children’s books as well as DVDs will be available (hardcover books and DVDs for $1, and softcover books for 50 cents), with proceeds benefiting the library.
On energy front, Healey mindful of ‘where other countries are’
By Ella Adams State House News Service
BOSTON — With an emphasis on support for startups and research, Gov. Maura Healey on May 6 both railed against the federal administration and touted her
administration’s climate technology investments to a room of industry entrepreneurs and leaders.
The Democrat, who is in the midst of a reelection campaign, vowed to “make sure that Massachusetts stays on the forefront of this work, notwithstanding any-
thing else that’s happening right now at the federal level.”
“We live in a moment right now where, frankly, there’s leadership in this country that doesn’t understand the imperative of what the rest of the world is doing,” Gov. Maura Healey said at
Every week we will provide you with a complete listings of deaths from the preceding week from throughout Greater Springfield. We are doing this as a convenience to our readers in case you miss an obit in the daily paper. We hope you find this useful and that you will refer to it weekly.
AGAWAM
Mary Kiefer
Ernest Lagacy Jr.
Judith M. LeClerc
Ann G. Lincoln
FEEDING HILLS
Robert G. King
Elaine S. Verallis
MONTGOMERY
Christopher M. Mann
SOUTHWICK
Roland R. Allen
WEST SPRINGFIELD
Barbara A. Leshinski
Vincent Rizzo
WESTFIELD
Josephine A. Delekta
Shirley Mae Dewey
Lionel “Butch” Joaquin
Margaret E. Osowski
Roger A. Page
Robert T. Parks
Dorothy Saalfrank
Andrew D. Scheip
the 2026 ClimaTech conference in Wimberly Theater at the Boston Center for the Arts.
“I live that every single day. I know what’s going on in the UK, I know what’s going on in China, I know what’s going on in Europe, I know what’s going on in Asia. We have folks from Latin America here. This is where we need to be. This is where other countries are,” Healey told a packed auditorium.
Healey has vocally opposed many of President Donald Trump’s energy- and climate-related initiatives and proposals, as his administration is largely unsupportive of the offshore wind and clean energy tactics Massachusetts needs to meet emission reduction mandates enshrined in state law. Lawmakers have started to acknowledge that the state will likely need to revisit the mandates and their costs.
Massachusetts has more than 10,000 climate tech businesses and 163,000 climate tech workers, Healey said. She highlighted a 2026 report, developed by the Alliance for Climate Transition and Dynamic Sustainability Lab at Syracuse University, that named the top 20 global companies in the energy transition. Of the 20 named, 16 have a home in Massachusetts, Healey said, naming Mitsubishi and Schneider Electric.
“We are tied with California — which is a little bit bigger than us — for the most headquarters, innovation centers, and regional offices,” Healey said, pledging that “We’re all in for climate technology.”
While highlighting climate tech investments in her globally-focused economic development plan, Healey also foreshadowed initiatives ahead.
“In the coming weeks, we’re going to be rolling out some major initiatives, including new tax credits and capital grants,” she said. A “Climate Tech Testing and Demonstration Assets Pro-
gram” out of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will provide “incubators, research centers and universities with capital to build and upgrade shared infrastructure and equipment” and aim to reduce “some of the barriers” startups face.
“We plan, through these investments alone, to support hundreds of startups and researchers, attract hundreds of millions of dollars in private investment, and create so, so many jobs,” Healey said.
Healey touted her executive order to bring more power sources into the state and a bill she filed last year to bring down energy costs as “things that matter to all of you who live here, or those who want to recruit here.”
Massachusetts faces an overall affordability and housing crisis, while energy costs have skyrocketed in past months. Lawmakers have yet to agree upon comprehensive policy to address it. The House passed an energy bill (H 5175) in February, which leans on a controversial $1 billion cut to the state’s Mass Save program.
Asked about that proposal, Healey said, “The point is, it’s moving forward. Getting this energy affordability law to my desk is really important. I know that the Legislature is working on it, it’s with the Senate now, and I look forward to continuing to work with them on this, because we’ve got to lower gas and electric bills.”
Senate Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee Chair Michael Barrett recently said he would “have a hard time” cutting Mass Save’s budget and signaled an interest in finding savings by reforming a program that encourages and helps cover the costs for utilities to replace leak-prone gas pipes.
Ella Adams is a reporter for the State House News Service and State Affairs Massachusetts. Reach her at ella.adams@statehousenews.com.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
New theater group introduces itself with first production
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
EASTHAMPTON — In an effort to bring fresh, queer and gender diverse stories to the local theater scene, a new theater group, Why’s It Gotta Be?, has formed here in Western Massachusetts.
The group, which started in the fall, is gearing up for its first production, the dark comedy “Legoland,” which will run at CitySpace from May 22-31.
Founder, actor and president of Why’s It Gotta Be?, Devin Dumas, told Reminder Publishing that he, along with fellow peers who are now on the board of the new group, saw a gap in consistent productions related to queer and gender diverse stories and thought, why not fill this need with a fresh new group committed to offering just that?
“We really just wanted to create a consistent space for queer theater, for new theater, for gender diverse theater that we weren’t really seeing in the area,” said Dumas. “And that’s not at anyone else, there’s absolutely wonderful theater in the area, like K&E does great stuff, Easthampton Theater Company does great stuff, Exit 7 does great stuff. But some of us found ourselves in a position where we always seemed to be waiting to see who would announce the next queer-based show, or the next gender diverse show, or the next new thing, rather than something that had been done several times before. So, I grabbed a couple people that I was close with and was like, ‘hey why don’t we just make something that’s consistent for that,’ so we did.”
Dumas explained that he wanted the mission and goals of the group to be clear and present in its name.
“I came up with it because I’m 27, and I’m very vocal about wanting to see queer relationships expressed healthy in media, and I was often asked, ‘Oh, well, why’s it gotta be gay? Why’s it gotta be queer? Why’s it gotta be trans? Why’s it gotta be all these things?’ And you get so tired of hearing that to a point that it’s almost like how queer used to be a slur and we reclaimed it as an identity. I’m almost reclaiming that for us now. You can’t tell us ‘Why’s it gotta be’ anymore because that’s the whole point now. ‘Why’s it gotta be queer?’ Because that’s our whole thing,” said Dumas. With that said, Dumas and the group feel that the best way to kick things off is with a production of Jacob Richmond’s dark comedy, “Legoland.” The
play tells the story of Penny and Ezra Lamb, siblings who have been home-schooled on a hippie colony their whole lives and dying to get out.
After a failed attempt at connection in Walmart, the commune is busted, and the siblings — each seething with repression — are enrolled in a Catholic private school where they are instant social outcasts. A cross-continental adventure ensues for the two siblings through this irreverently dark story bursting with originality, bringing audiences along for the ride in an engaging fashion as the Lamb siblings are prying for connection any way they can get it.
“Legoland” opens at CitySpace on Friday, May 22, at 7:30 p.m. The rest of the shows will take place on May 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., May 24 at 2 p.m, May 29 at 7:30 p.m., May 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on May 31 at 2 p.m. The show contains adult language, according to organizers.
General tickets are $25 and available for purchase online at wigbtheater.org/legoland. During the run on May 26 at 7:30 p.m., the group will also host a fundraiser called Mid-Run Drag Trivia night inside CitySpace to support the newly formed group.
Dumas is directing “Legoland” and shared that this play has always been a production he wanted to be a part of.
“I actually said I didn’t want to do ‘Legoland’ first because I knew people knew it was something that I really, really wanted to do. I didn’t want to seem like I started this theater group so I could do ‘Legoland.’ But then ... we decided that ‘Legoland’ from a public-facing standpoint was the most approachable title out of anything,” explained Dumas. “The play has nothing to do with Legos, but we figured a dark comedy that really gets a little gritty and is just fast paced backto-back-to-back, and has this cool title ‘Legoland,’ that draws people in, and we can just make this really colorful, fun, inviting and interactive immersive show. We just decided, let’s try that.”
Julia Adamo and Terrance Peters are starring in this production as Penny and Ezra Lamb. Both actors have worked with Dumas before and with some of the other local groups as well. Both shared that they are eager to be part of the first production from the group.
“The wonderful thing about both the Massachusetts and Connecticut community theater is it’s a very small world, and so I
had known Devin a little,” said Peters. “When I’d seen this new group that a lot of folks that I respect and like working with were very supportive, and then [I] saw they were doing ‘Legoland,’ a script that has been on my radar for so long and is very rarely done, even though I think it’s such a fantastic script, I decided to put my foot through.”
Peters said he is a big fan of any group that puts its community first, and added that when he learned about the story behind the group’s name and mission statement, he knew Why’s It Gotta Be? is committed to creating a welcoming environment.
Adamo, also a board member for the group, shared similar sentiments about the opportunity to be a part of the group’s first production. Having worked with Dumas through a production he directed through Exit 7, Adamo considers Dumas a great connector in the local theater space.
“He has this remarkable way of just bringing people together and creating such a sense of community around queer art that I was like anything I can do with Devin I want to do,” she said.
Adamo said that Dumas’ vision for the group is meaningful as it adds a niche within the larger and overall healthy local theater scene in the area.
“There is such a robust theater scene in the Western Mass. area, and we’re really grateful for that, and there’s so many enthusiastic performers, and there are so many amazing productions going on, so it’s a really wonderful and supportive community with a lot of people who are doing really cool, really fresh and interesting work,” Adamo said. “But the idea that we can find our niche within this larger scene while consistently prioritizing really fresh and diverse work, just feels really exciting.”
Future goals
Dumas already has long-term visions for what is possible for the new cadre. Specifically, he hopes to one day purchase sound and lighting equipment for the cadre, offer stipends to makers and artists, produce in-house and audio film productions, and ultimately secure a space to utilize for performances and rehearsals to outsource to other developing and independent artists.
Dumas said that he hopes the group can add a multimedia aspect to their work, as well. Along with his background in theater, Dumas also has a background in audio drama storytelling and hopes to add that to their
repertoire.
“I really view audio drama as a form of theater art, film as a form of theater art. I’d really like to see us at some point further down the road be able to reach out to people who are interested, if not performing on stage, perhaps performing behind a screen or behind a microphone, and creating space to tell fresh stories, queer stories, different stories in that format,” Dumas added. “We’re doing this for us, we’re doing this to share art, we’re doing this to tell stories, we’re doing this for audiences. We’re not doing this to make fortunes, we’re doing this to share visions, so if we can help other artists by providing a space five, 10, 15 years down the line, that’s the goal too.”
In the meantime, as the group grows from its infancy, Dumas hopes to facilitate more shows.
Simultaneously, the plan is to keep an eye out for a permanent home, hopefully in Easthampton or Northampton, but the group is open to any opportunities in the region.
“We definitely are gravitating a little bit more towards Northampton and Easthampton when we do events just because there’s a lot of performance space and a lot of people that we feel will resonate with these stories, but we’re open to anywhere within the area,” said Dumas. “We really hope that we can get audiences in that these stories resonate with, but also performers that these stories resonate with, because we do it for both of them. And just really hoping we can continue with our long-term creative goals as well.”
To learn more about Why’s It Gotta Be? visit wigbtheater.org.
Lobster Feasts
Terrance Peters (left) and Julia Adamo (right) star in Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group’s first production, “Legoland.”
Photo credit: Why’s It Gotta Be? Theater Group
Amjad Real Estate LLC, to Zain Safdar and Sana Abeer, 554-556
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EAST LONGMEADOW
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