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APRIL 9, 2026 | FREE
IN THIS
EDITION
AROUND THE AREA
Neal, transportation officials deliver update on Compass Rail U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and state officials joined legislators from Worcester County, the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley at a roundtable to discuss updates to Compass Rail.
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EAST LONGMEADOW
Organization looks to delay smartphone use in kids East Longmeadow’s chapter of the national “Wait Until 8th” movement is working hard to “let kids be kids a little longer,” according to Natalee Georgantas, the chapter’s leader.
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LONGMEADOW
Resident to run for Dana-Farber one last time Stephanie O’Leary is hanging up the laces after the Boston Marathon.
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Sheriff’s Dept. funding woes end many partnerships By Sarah Heinonen and Tyler Garnet
sheinonen@thereminder.com tgarnet@thereminder.com
Municipal police departments around Hampden County have long received help from the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, but Sheriff Nick Cocchi recently announced that his department can no longer fund those partnerships. The Sheriff’s Department is facing the loss of $26.5 million that was cut from its fiscal year 2026 allocation from the state. Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Director of Communications Robert Rizzuto said Hampden County is not alone. Sheriffs’ departments across the state have lost roughly $100 million in expected funding. The cessation of partnerships with municipal police departments was framed as the first phase of cuts, reducing the workforce by 50 positions and saving about $4 million. “The Legislature is quite clear; they do not think law enforcement support in these communities is worth funding. Not our delegation,” Rizzuto said, referring to the state senators and representatives from Hampden County, “legislative leadership — they have their own priorities.” Rizzuto said the commonwealth is under financial constraints, largely due to cuts in federal spending. Massachusetts lost $3.7 billion in federal funding last year, with about $3.3 billion in cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill and $398.9 million cut by the Trump administration. The cuts included $96.9 million in funding
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno discusses the importance of the city’s partnership with the Sheriff’s Department in patroling Forest Park during a 2023 press conference as former Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and Sheriff Nick Cochi listen. Behind them are members of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit. Reminder Publishing file photo
for public safety and security. Across the county, 26 POST-certified deputies regularly staffed 28 shifts to reinforce agencies with insufficient personnel. These staffing gaps will no longer be filled, unless paid or reimbursed by the agency or municipality. The Sheriff’s Department filled specific roles in some communities. Among the municipalities that the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department had been supporting are Springfield, Chicopee, West Springfield and Holyoke.
“The sheriff’s presence was an asset to our community, allowing us to concentrate on calls for service and traffic enforcement in other areas of town.” said West Springfield Police Chief Jay Gearing. The Sheriff’s Department had provided targeted speeding details and traffic patrols, as well as patrols of Bear Hole Reservoir and the Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway. “The Police Department will have to cover the reduction in coverage provided by the sher-
iff. The positions will not be unfilled,” Gearing said. “The sheriff’s absence will be felt more as a reduction in services,” but he assured, “West Springfield will continue to be a safe place to live and visit based on our current patrol model.” Springfield Police Department Public Information Officer and Media Relations Specialist Ryan Walsh told a similar story about the impact on that city. The Sheriff’s Department will no longer proSee SHERIFF on page 5