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EDITION Federal earmark boosts plan for new East Springfield Branch Library

Springfield received a financial boost to its plan to replace the undersized and outdated East Springfield Branch Library with a new building.

Page 2

Whitfield involved in conflict of interest violation, Davila calls for her to step down

After City Council President Tracye Whitfield was found to have violated a conflict of interest law that led to the rescinding of a Feb. 2 vote, City Councilor Victor Davila is calling for her to step down.

Pages 3 and 4

YWCA receives federal earmark to maintain facilities

Among the earmarks signed into law on Feb. 3 was $1.22 million for the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and programs for women and their children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, teen pregnancy or human trafficking.

Page 3

Workers brave frigid temps to protest ICE actions

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Bitterly cold temperatures did not stop more than 150 members of area unions from coming out on Feb. 7 to rally against actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis, Minnesota and elsewhere under the administration of President Donald Trump.

The “Working People Against ICE” rally on the steps of Springfield City Hall attracted representatives from members of 25 different labor organizations and unions, according to community organizer Joseph Bonilla, who emceed the event.

Bonilla read a list of demands for the state Legislature that included passage of state House bill H.1588 and its counterpart in the Senate, S.1122, which would prevent ICE from renting beds in local jails and end legal agreements that allow local and state law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement tasks for ICE. Also, on the list of demands is the mandating of virtual access to Massachusetts court hearings so people can participate without fear of ICE detaining them.

Speaking on behalf of the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation, Jeff Jones said, “We’re here today standing in solidarity with our fellow workers in Minneapolis, Chicago, L.A. or wherever the current regime sends its army of occupation.” He described ICE as an “unaccountable army” that is “targeting virtually everyone who is not white and English speaking.”

Like many people who spoke, he called for the abolition of ICE and defunding of Homeland Security. “If the Democratic party cannot deliver, they need to get out See PROTEST on page 5

Top row, more than 150 people attend the “Working People Against ICE” rally at Springfield City Hall. Second row, from left: Organizer Joseph Bonilla addresses the crowd. People hold anti-ICE flags and signs.

Third row, from left: People hold signs protesting deportations. State Sen. Jake Oliveira and School Committee member Gumersindo Gomez at the anti-ICE rally.

Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen

FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026 | SPRINGFIELD

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THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS

STRM: Whitfield talks tenure as City Council president

By Dennis Hackett

dhackett@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — On the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me,” hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sat down with Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield to talk about her tenure as City Council president.

Whitfield discussed what a City Council president does, which includes presiding over the meetings, coming up with the agenda for the meetings and deciding subcommittee assignments for the city councilors. She also said that there are new challenges as the president.

“I’m still learning the role and it’s interesting, I get a lot more calls, a lot more invites to events — I do try to attend as many as I can, but I also work with the other city councilors and try to get them the same exposure, I like to share everything, but it’s definitely challenging,” Whitfield said.

She also discussed a recent conflict of interest violation from the Feb. 2 council meeting after she did not recuse from presiding over a public hearing involving a property on Wallace Street her son Jelani Bland had requested be discontinued. His company, which Whitfield is a part of, is interested in building on the land on the abutting property. For fuller coverage of this issue, head to thereminder.com or pick up the Feb. 19 edition of the Springfield Reminder.

Alongside the violation, Whitfield explained that one of the things she is doing as council president is creating a training framework to help new councilors.

“I was really interested in doing that because when I joined the council in 2018, there was like literally no training. You just sit down, you take conflict of interest

training on your own; no one to explain anything, there’s just like no training at all, and I want to be a different president,” she said.

Whitfield also said that she is planning on holding office hours as well.

“I just want the public to know that I am here and I’m obtainable, I am available and I hope that the community takes advantage of that,” she said.

She also discussed what it meant to her to be the first woman of color to be the Springfield City Council president and said that she never thought about being in politics when she was growing up.

“I mean it means everything to me, because now I am a role model. So even when I make mistakes, I have to own them and take accountability for the things that I do, and I’m always gonna do that because no one knows everything,” she said. “Just being a role model to other young people so they know that your path might take you in different directions then you planned, but everything you learn along the way is helping to build your skillset to go in different paths than you initially planned.”

Whitfield also reflected on how long it took for a woman of color to be the president of the council.

“It just means a great deal to just show, especially young girls, that they can be anything they want to be, because this is 250 years in the making. I hope breaking this barrier it’ll open other doors where a woman of color hasn’t been in a position,” she said.

Looking at the makeup of the council she is presiding over, she said it’s a good balance of people.

“I think there is a good balance on the council as far as race and ethnicity — well, we could use a

Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield (center) sits down with “So That Reminds Me” hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet.

Reminder Publishing photo by Chris Maza

couple more females — but we’re getting there, even the age differences within the council, I think it’s a good balance,” she said.

Whitfield said another area she wants to improve on is creating more “robust” small business support in the city.

“We have a lot of people leaving because there’s not a lot of resources for small businesses. I also run a statewide coalition, and so when I go throughout the state, I see other initiatives that I’m like ‘oh, we can do that in Springfield,’ but it’s not as easy to implement change in Springfield, so I think that is very much needed,” she said. “We have to get small business technical assistance going for our small businesses to make sure that they have their back-office supports services together, like their accounting, marketing,

business plan, their legal, all that in place, so when it’s time to get loans and grants and things like that, they’re ready.”

One area Whitfield said Springfield could use some improvement in is with educating residents about clean energy practices.

“I do think we still have a lot more work to do as far as educating our residents on conversions, like maybe to fuel pumps and other clean energy types … the rebates and what it means to have a clean environment,” she said.

“We have work to do, but I still think that it can be done.”

Whitfield added that she was looking at getting a fuel pump because she currently uses oil.

During the sit-down, Whitfield talked about challenges with creating affordable housing, work-

ing on the city’s budget, economic development and much more.

Whitfield added that she wanted to change the narrative around the city.

“We have a lot of great assets, we are the City of Firsts. [I] just want to change the narrative to a more positive narrative than what some of the surrounding communities may hear, think or speak, because it’s just really not true.

Usually people that are involved in the violence live that life, it’s not happening randomly,” she said. “I just want to change the narrative on how people think and talk about Springfield, as well.”

To hear the full episode, visit thereminder.com/our-podcast or search “So That Reminds Me” on your favorite podcasting platform.

Federal earmark boosts plan for new East Springfield Branch Library

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield received a financial boost to its plan to replace the undersized and outdated East Springfield Branch Library with a new building.

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal secured $500,000 for the project through recently passed congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks. It was part of a bill, signed into law on Feb. 3, providing $124.58 million in earmarks for 116 community projects in Massachusetts.

The East Springfield Branch Library was built in 1932 and while it has served the neighborhood over that time, Assistant Director for Public Services Jean Canosa Albano Canosa Albano said the library needs to be a “modern, accessible space.”

There is a ramp at the existing library, but it does not meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also said the existing library simply does not have the space for the programs and activities that the neighborhood is asking for. Library Director Molly Fogarty explained that there are only 2,500 square feet of public space available in the library. “It’s one big room, so we have a little space over here for the teens, a little space for the adults over there,” she said.

In fiscal year 2024, the state Board of Library Commissioners awarded the city a $100,000 planning and design grant, matched with $150,000 allocated by the City Council, to renovate and expand the branch. However, Fogarty explained that the condition of the library and current building codes made an expansion

problematic. So, the scope of the project was changed, and a new library will need to be built.

Fogarty assured that the site would remain the same, which is important to the neighbors, according to comments made at public meetings. The meetings also revealed that people are looking for off-street parking, of which there is currently none.

The desires of the neighborhood and the programming needs were used to create a detailed design plan, so detailed that it included how many chairs would be needed, Fogarty said.

The new design for the site was submitted in 2025, and Fogarty said the Board of Library Commissioners recently responded, scoring the plan nine out of nine and giving the project the go ahead. The new library will have 8,500 square feet of usable

The East Springfield Branch Library.

Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

space, nine parking spaces, including two for accessible parking, separate rooms for children, teens and adult programming and more computers.

Canosa Albano said her favorite part of the plan is the community room, which exists in the other Springfield Library branches, but not in the existing East Springfield branch. “It’s all about community,” she said. “Nowadays, a community can get fractured so easily. This will bring people together. It will be beneficial to the neighborhood.” Another aspect

she is excited about is the ways the library will reflect the people who live around it and “who they are as a neighborhood,” including the use of motifs and decor.

Fogarty said she was most looking forward to the indoor-outdoor spaces, including a reading garden and screened porch area.

The project cost estimate is underway. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2027 and last about 18 months. Fogarty said that the library is working to find a temporary alternative space for programming during that time.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT’S LIST SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University takes immense pride in recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of nearly 600 students who have been named to the President’s List for the Fall 2025 semester. Students are named to the President’s List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.80 or higher. The following local students were named to the list: Mandy Morrissette, Sayal Gurung, Justin Gould, Nevaeh Bell, Umberto Calvanese, Alexa Walker, Anthony Ramos, Giovanni Calvanese, Matthew Valois, Timothy Arendt, Ryan Leonard, Gabriella Robinson, Nia Santos, Thomas Ford, Christopher Calvanese, Nylan Baldwin, Camden Kaufmann, Kavya Hiteshkumar Parikh, Maahi Shah, Brianna Beadle, Matthew Walz, Geddiel Lopez, Nicole Zancan, Weronika Kaczor, Weronika Kaczor, Gabriel Cintron Rivera, Sandy Viruet, Bao Do, Kacie Schwarzenbach, Marwa Dreah, Lisannie Almanzar, Lisannie Almanzar, Esosa Aiguosatile, Madysen Wells-Bisson, Yaxiel Lopez, Anna Shlemanov, Jasmine Lam, JoiLee Key-Washington, Yinmairy Reynoso Jimenez, Jordyn Vanmourik, Michael Arillotta, Noah Jewell of Springfield; and Cameron Touchette and Fejer Hasan of Indian Orchard.

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SPRINGFIELD | FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026

City Council rescinds ‘tainted’ vote, Whitfield apologizes

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council called a special meeting to rescind a vote, after Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield failed to recuse herself from deliberation of a matter that she had financial and familial connections to.

At the council’s Feb. 2 meeting, Whitfield’s son, Jelani Bland, came before the council to request a piece of land that is part of Wallace Street on maps, but is essentially a vacant lot, be discontinued. He explained that his company, JETS Property Development, owns an abutting property at 23 Wisteria Lane and is interested in building on the land. Whitfield is listed as a resident agent and manager of the company.

Whitfield remained at the podium in her capacity as council president for nine minutes of deliberation on the matter before Fenton asked her if she was planning to recuse herself. Whitfield responded, “Oh, do I recuse now?

Do I step down now?” She later said, “This is a learning experience for me. I wish you had said something sooner.”

After the meeting, Whitfield contacted the state Ethics Commission and City Solicitor Stephen Buoniconti for guidance on the incident. In an opinion issued on Feb. 5, he said that Whitfield violated the state law that regulates the conduct of public officials and employees. Specifically, he said the actions that violate the statute included not recusing herself at the start of deliberation, failing to disclose Bland was her son and business partner, and that

she had a financial interest in the matter before the council, and failing to file those disclosures with the city clerk’s office.

Buoniconti went on to say that during Planning Board meetings in 2024 about a zone change for 23 Wisteria Lane, Whitfield declared herself to be a city councilor and said the zone change would be a positive improvement for the city. She did not disclose that she had financial and familial interests in the matter.

The solicitor recommended the council rescind its vote to discontinue the section of Wallace Street because it was “tainted and rife with conflict-of-interest violations.” He referred the matter to the Massachusetts Ethics Commission. Whitfield had contacted the Ethics Board about the matter the day after the council’s meeting.

On Feb. 6, seven of the 13 city councilors — Victor Davila, Michael Fenton, Kateri Walsh, Melvin Edwards, Brian Santaniello, Gerry Martin and Jose Delgado — hosted a press conference in the council chambers. While Councilor Maria Perez was ill and unable to attend, Davila said she was “here in spirit with us and in full support.” Davila briefly explained the issue and said the seven councilors had signed a petition to call a special council meeting to rescind the vote taken on Feb. 2. That meeting was scheduled for Feb. 13.

Davila said, “Rescinding the vote is not only the wise thing to do, as advised by the Law Department, but is also the right thing to do. We must ensure public trust in the process is open, fair and free of undue influence.” He went on to announce that he would

personally request the Law Department to review all the city’s transactions involving Whitfield and JETS Development “out of an abundance of caution.”

Fenton agreed with his colleague. He said, “Transparency and maintaining the public trust is of the utmost importance to the integrity of city government and the integrity of the City Council.”

He described rescinding the vote as “corrective action.”

“I think it’s a responsibility to address any mistakes so that the public can have confidence that it’s a fair and transparent procedure,” said Walsh. “It’s a difficult thing to be doing, but I think it’s the right step.”

Whitfield hosted her own press conference in the chambers that morning. “I want to take full responsibility and publicly acknowledge my mistake in not recusing myself immediately from discussion related to the discontinuance of a city street,” she said.

“Public service is a privilege, and I take seriously the responsibility that comes with serving as a public official.” She said she had “misunderstood the rules” regarding conflicts of interest and thought she was supposed to recuse herself for the vote only, and not the deliberation. “While this was not intentional; it was my responsibility, and I fully own that,” Whitfield said.

Whitfield also commented on bidding on two properties at a recent public auction. She said that she was at the proceedings “in full public view,” along with Bland and is “proud that we are investing in our hometown.” She said, “I acknowledge that I should have been more mindful of how these matter could be perceived.”

Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield spoke at City Hall about the issue of not immediately recusing herself while presiding over a Feb. 2 meeting when her son requested that a city-owned parcel of land be abandoned for other use.

Photo credit: Douglas Hook/The Republican

She did not address her participation in the Planning Board meetings Buoniconti referred to.

Moving forward, Whitfield announced that she will meet with the City Council legal counsel before every meeting to discuss each item to ensure there are no other conflicts. She also said she would undertake more ethics training.

“Public service is real, on-thejob learning and while leaders do make mistakes, what matters is how we respond,” she said.

She apologized for the mistake and thanked her colleagues and

Springfield residents for their dedication to transparency. She said she would “endorse” the decision of the council regarding the rescinding of the vote.

Whitfield also joined the latest episode of “So That Reminds Me” and discussed the situation and said that her confusion came from a misunderstanding about when she was supposed to recuse herself from the meeting.

“I didn’t realize I had to step down from preceding over the deliberation itself, and I was See WHITFIELD on page 4

YWCA receives $1.22M federal earmark to maintain facilities

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — Federal funding for organizations in Massachusetts has been limited over the past year, with many grants and programs canceled. Because of this, a slate of congressionally directed spending, otherwise known as earmarks, has been especially crucial to many nonprofits.

“The Massachusetts delegation secured over $200 million for hundreds of local projects across the Bay State,” U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said in a press release. “I am proud to have collaborated with my colleagues to secure funding to construct affordable and supportive housing, expand early education programs and buy new equipment to expand patient access to care. With so much federal funding under threat, direct funding to our communities is critical.”

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said it was “a no-brainer that we’d fight hard to invest in our people.” She cited many of the same earmark priorities as Markey.

Among the earmarks signed

into law on Feb. 3 was $1.22 million for the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and programs for women and their children who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, teen pregnancy or human trafficking.

The fifth-largest YWCA in the country, the Western Massachusetts organization operates a 63bed shelter for women and children, which she said is “always full. Someone leaves and that bed is taken within an hour or so.” The organization also has a residential Young Mother’s Program in Holyoke. CEO Elizabeth Dineen said the YWCA collaborates with the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, the state Department of Children and Families and Baystate Health to serve people in need.

The YWCA is mainly funded through grants, including from the cities of Springfield and Holyoke, and departments in the state and federal governments. The organization also receives private grants from the Davis Founda-

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tion, the Women’s Fund and the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. “When we see a grant that looks like it lines

up with what we do, we go for it,” Dineen said.

However, Dineen explained that most grants are designed to

cover program costs, leaving few sources of funding for building See YMCA on page 8

FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026 | SPRINGFIELD

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THEREMINDER.COM | WE ARE HOMETOWN NEWS

Davila calls for Whitfield resignation, councilors withhold judgement

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council met on Feb. 13 to rescind a vote, but City Councilor Victor Davila called for Council President Tracye Whitfield to step down from her position amid controversy stemming from a financial and familial conflict of interest.

The issue began on Feb. 2, when JETS Property Development co-owner Jelani Bland requested the city discontinue 600 square feet of land that is a street in name only at the intersection of Wallace Street and Wisteria Lane. As it abuts property owned by JETS Property Development, if discontinued, the company would absorb half of the land. Bland said he planned to purchase the remainder of the property to build a house on it.

Whitfield presided over the council’s discussion on the matter for about 10 minutes, despite Bland being her son and her being a part-owner of JETS Property Development. Whitfield recused herself after being reminded by Councilor Michael Fenton. She stated at the time, and again at a

press conference four days later, that she misunderstood when she was required to recuse herself.

After the meeting, Whitfield contacted the Law Department and City Solicitor Stephan Buoniconti investigated the matter. It was then that the issue grew from a one-time snafu to a controversy spanning several years. Buoniconti released a legal opinion that Whitfield had violated the state law regulating conflicts of interest for elected officials on multiple occasions by acting in her official capacity while failing to disclose her familial relation to Bland or her financial interest in JETS Property Development.

Buoniconti alleged that her failures to disclose conflicts include zone change hearing with the Planning Board in 2024, at meetings with other city departments and at a recent city auction, during which Whitfield and Bland successfully bid on properties. The Law Department had been contacted in July 2025 by the DPW about Whitfield’s potential conflict of interest.

In a matter separate from JETS Property Development, Buonicon-

ti said Whitfield stepped in when there was a dispute between resident Desi Jackson and the Old Hill Neighborhood Association.

Jackson alleged the association owned him $2,000, and, according to Buoniconti, Whitfield said she would request the city audit of the association’s finances as a result.

Buoniconti said the incident “reeks of improper and undue influence,” particularly in “leveraging a threat of an audit to generate payment to Mr. Jackson.” The association’s vice president/treasurer contacted the city to object to Whitfield “using her position of influence,” Buoniconti said.

The solicitor said rectifying the zone change is “a complicated legal picture” because a duplex has been built there based on “the city’s authority.” When asked why this string of incidents had not been investigated earlier, Buoniconti said that many of the city’s departments are “siloed” from the others, making it difficult to see incidents in different departments as a pattern of behavior.

“I think it’s just one that people weren’t aware of until you put all

STEP TEAM — The Martin Luther King Charter School of Excellence Step Team performed a routine at the second annual Taste of Culture on Feb. 11. Hosted by the The Family Resource Center at the Gándara Center in Springfield, the event coincides with Black History Month. It offered traditional foods from Black traditions, culturally significant dance routines and an art gallery.

Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

TheReminder.com 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.

CHICOPEE Abel S. Carvalho Louise C. Hebert Mary Jo Moson Gail L. Rogers Edward J. Szydziak Winchell Ping Chiu Woo EAST LONGMEADOW John Stotek Gerald F. Triggs HOLYOKE Theresa “Terry” Allen William T. Baxter Christine A. Daisy Keith E. Sicard Lisa M. Mahoney Anthony F. Piaggi Richard A. Pratt

INDIAN ORCHARD Alan A. Dargis Sr. LONGMEADOW Rosalie “Rose” Craven (Saccamando) James W. Henrikson George Sachs LUDLOW Herbert Brumer Leon T. Fredrick Beverly E. Shea Paul Trigilio SOUTH HADLEY Thomas L. Bernard Janet A. Chagnon Rabbi Yechiael Lander Gaetano J. Milano Maureen Parker Murray Tessie O’Neill

Springfield City Councilor Victor Davila calls for Tracye Whitfield to step down as council president.

Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen

the pieces of the puzzle together,” he said.

The findings from the Law Department recommended that the incidents be forwarded to the State Ethics Commission for review.

Whitfield addressed the City Council and auction incidents at a Feb. 6 press conference, before Buoniconti released the Law Department’s most recent findings.

She apologized for her error in recusing herself and said she has put safeguards in place to prevent future conflicts. The matter was “a learning experience,” she said.

Whitfield has been on the City Council since 2018. When asked, Delgado said city councilors receive required training on conflicts of interest every year or two.

“I can’t speak to what other folks may take from those trainings or may not,” he said. “This has been, obviously, an eye-opening experience for everybody. So, I think, from here on out everybody will be checking, crossing their Ts and dotting their Is. At the end of the day, the public trusts us to do the right thing when we’re voting, so we’ve got to hold ourselves — and the public holds us — to a higher standard.” Buoniconti issued a memorandum reminding councilors of the rules around conflicts of interest as recently as January 2026.

Whitfield had been “consistently, persistently, recklessly violating ethics laws since 2021,” Davila said. “I fear the president has broken the trust that the council president requires” and “I have lost faith in the City Council president.” He called for her to step down from the position of president. If she does not, Davila said he will call for a vote of no confidence at the council’s Feb. 23 meeting.

Most of the other councilors spoke in favor of waiting to see what the state Ethics Commission determines. Ward 7 City Councilor Gerry Martin said it was “inappropriate” to take that step before the board rules. “We are not judge, jury and executioner,” he

said. Ward 8 City Councilor Zaida Govan agreed that it was “premature” to take such action and wanted to hear from the Ethics Commission first.

Ward 1 City Councilor Maria Perez admitted that she felt “upset” about the matter and described it as “embarrassing,” but said she was only prepared at the moment to rescind the Feb. 2 vote. She said, “We should look at all that has gone on. This is not to be taken lightly, but let’s do it right.”

Davila said the council could wait for the state Ethics Commission to render its findings, “But we are a sovereign body.” When people ask why the council did not act once they were aware of Buoniconti’s findings, he said, “You will have to explain, not me. I’m being very clear because this body means a lot to me.” He reiterated his plan to call for a no confidence vote should Whitfield not step down.

In an interview about the controversy, Delgado said, “It’s not a good look for the city. It’s a distraction for all the more important things that we as city councilors should be focused on. We should be focusing on the city, the residents and on what’s going on. To me, I want to get back to focusing on that.” He said Whitfield had done “the right thing” in immediately bringing her recusal error to the Law Department and the state Ethics Board and felt the council should let that process play out.

Later, when asked, Davila said he did not think he was alone in believing Whitfield stepping down was required to preserve public trust. “I believe some of them are afraid,” he said, citing “political reasons.” However, he added, “Now is not the time for politics.”

After the Feb. 13 City Council meeting, Whitfield told Reminder Publishing, “As you can imagine, I’m still processing all of these allegations,” She added that she planned to address the issue at a press conference on Monday, Feb. 16, after press time.

Whitfield

and Ethics departments after the meeting.

“It was not deliberate, I would never do anything intentionally like that,” she said.

Regarding the vote to rescind the one taken on Feb. 2, Whitfield said, “I think it’s the right thing to do.”

At the Feb. 13 meeting, the City Council voted to rescind the Feb. 2 vote 11-0 with Whitfield and Councilor Lavar ClickBruce absent.

Managing Editor Dennis Hackett contributed to this report.

Robert J. Valenti SPRINGFIELD Rev. Lionel Edward Bonneville Elaine G. Comeau James R. Farioli Marie Landers Jesse Melvin Lanier Sr. Frank Lango John S. Musiak Marguerite V. Oakes Margaret Sarkis Joanne F. Shapiro Irene O. Theberge WILBRAHAM Deborah Ann Gero John T. Liebel Bowman Dean Franklin Milner Sr.

Continued from page 3

supposed to recuse myself from the beginning because I am part of JETS Property Development, the person who was testifying in front of the City Council is my son, I own my responsibility,” she said. “I didn’t follow the conflict of interest laws to the T and I have been reading them over and over and over again so that doesn’t happen again.”

Whitfield also added that she immediately contacted the Law

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SPRINGFIELD | FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026

Protest

Continued from page 1

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Above, people hold signs protesting deportations. At right, a protestor stands with a full-sized American flag and an anti-ICE sign.

Thursday, Noon

Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen

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David, “a Springfield father with no criminal record and a survivor of labor trafficking. He was detained by ICE at a December 2025 immigration check-in.

Bonilla explained that David had been granted T-nonimmigrant status, a legal temporary immigration status enabling certain victims of severe human trafficking to remain in the United States. Despite this, an immigration judge denied his ability to remain in the state. David now faces potential deportation. Bonilla said ICE has been targeting David’s family and that his wife was detained for months early last year after a “brutal arrest.”

Bonilla urged people to reach out to members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation to secure an emergency stay of removal for David, so he is not deported before his legal case is decided. “Our neighbor is just as deserving of the dignity and respect that we all hold. So, show up, speak out and call today,” he told the protesters.

“What’s happening in this country in unconscionable,” said state Sen. Jake Oliviera. He said people are afraid to walk their children to school, go to hospitals or even leave their homes because of ICE raids.” He said ICE was “terrifying” the people and families in the United States. He added that he had attended the rally because, “People need to come out into the streets.”

Agawam City Councilor Tom Hendrickson, who is running against state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga, attended the rally. He said his opponent introduced legislation to require local and state law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. “I think he’s totally wrong about that,” Hendrickson said.

“When it comes to immigra-

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of the way.”

Between speeches, the crowd was led in protest chants and songs, including one in which the lyrics of “Hit the Road Jack,”

by Ray Charles, were changed to “Hit the road, ICE, and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.”

Adrien, who only wanted to give their first name, is a member of SEIU Local 509 and a co-chair of River Valley Democratic Socialists of America. They told the crowd, “We just watched two U.S. citizens — unarmed, nonviolent — murdered in the street and they tried to tell us that what we saw wasn’t true.”

Adrien shared a quote by Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” They went on to say, “We are living in a system in which we are living to work so that we are too tired to stand up for what’s right, too tired to see what’s going on behind the scenes and the systems in place that keep us down.” They added, “The same systems that have been locking up Black and brown U.S. citizens are the same systems locking up immigrants.”

Massachusetts Nurses Association member Claire Shillington called ICE “a threat to public health.” She said that the nursing community was mourning Alex Pretti, the Veterans’ Administration intensive care nurse who was killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, as well as “the people not receiving the same attention.” Like others, she called for the abolition of ICE and urged elected officials to “do whatever is necessary to hold the Trump administration accountable for its ongoing violation of our constitutional and human rights.”

Jesse Lederman, regional director for U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and former Springfield city councilor, read a statement from the senator at the rally. “Trump may be trying to break our backs, but no one knows how to fight better than our unions,” Markey’s statement read.

“And here in Massachusetts,” he said, “We know immigrants built our nation. We know what a true democracy looks like because we created it here 250 years ago.”

Markey stated that Trump’s homeland security adviser, Stephen Miller, had conducted a “reign of terror” and called for the abolition of ICE and the end of qualified immunity. “Qualified immunity prevents Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s families from suing the men who murdered their loved ones, and it must end,” Lederman read.

Emphasizing that ICE raids and detentions are not only an issue on other parts of the country, Bonilla shared the story of Juan

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tion policy, I’m informed by my own family,” said Hendrickson.

“My grandparents immigrated here in the mid-20th century, and I often think about how I would have wanted them to be treated when they came here. Is it with the support and the resources and the tools that people need to live the American dream — a pathway to citizenship; a good-paying job; a safe, affordable place to live? Or is it with the chaos and cruelty that we have seen in Minneapolis and throughout the country under this administration?”

Hendrickson added, “So, to me it’s clear. I believe in the humanity of all people and the dignity of all people and my opponent disagrees.”

Among the last people to speak were representatives of Luce, the Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts. They shared information on how to “keep your

own communities safe” from ICE raids. Luce operates a hotline people can call when they spot ICE in their area. She urged people to donate money, volunteer to answer the multi-language hotline or become a “verifier.”

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Adrianna Baltazar fights through traffic in the offensive zone.

POPE FRANCIS PREP VS NAUSET

Nolan Craven lets the shot fly from along the wall.

HOCKEY

The Pope Francis Preparatory School girls’ hockey team lost 4-3 to Nauset High School as they hosted their Senior Night on Jan. 31, at Amelia Ice Center in Westfield.

REMINDER SPORTS PHOTOS TAKEN BY DAVID HOSMER

Elise Musa gets a good scoring chance in front of the goal.

Adalyn Murray loads up for the shot.

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Cassie Dion works the puck out from behind her own goal.

Keighley Gworek drops to a knee to make sure she gets her stick on the puck.

Ava Moltenbrey looks for the pass in open space on offense.

Avery Savage makes the blocker save.

Senior Natalia Elson gets introduced before the game

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HOPE Center receives $5 million earmark to improve building

By Sarah Heinonen

sheinonen@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — An organization providing free arts and literacy education and college preparation services to Springfield students has received a $5 million windfall of federal funding to continue its mission, repair its facility and expand its reach.

On Feb. 3, a bill was signed into law providing $124.58 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as earmarks, for 116 community projects in Massachusetts.

When combined with previously secured funding for fiscal year 2026, U.S. senators and representatives have sent a total of $221.55 million in earmarks flowing into the state.

“The Massachusetts delegation secured over $200 million for hundreds of local projects across the Bay State,” U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said in a press release. “I am proud to have collaborated with my colleagues to secure funding to construct affordable and supportive housing, expand early education pro-

YMCA Continued from page 3

repairs and infrastructure costs.

For example, she said the parking

grams and buy new equipment to expand patient access to care.

With so much federal funding under threat, direct funding to our communities is critical.”

Markey and the rest of the delegation representing Western Massachusetts — U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal — worked to secure earmarks for two dozen projects in the Pioneer Valley, including improvements to the HOPE Center for the Arts.

“I think it was a mistake,” quipped Robert Bolduc, CEO of the center’s parent organization, Hope for Youth and Families. Referring to the gridlock and tense political environment in Congress, he said it is “unbelievable” that such a large amount was approved for the organization’s project, the legislation’s largest single earmark for a Massachusetts project. He credited the “compelling” nature of the organization’s mission and needs.

Hope for Youth and Families’s mission is threefold.

The organization works to improve literacy among Springfield students. Despite Mas-

sachusetts standing as one of the most educated states in the country, Bolduc said, “Staggering amounts of our underserved population cannot read.”

The organization collaborates with schools and other literacy organizations to address the reading gap.

When high school students have college aspirations, they often seek help with the application process from parents, college preparation services and other resources. Bolduc said many low-income students do not have those same resources, whether because they cannot afford them or because people in their lives do not have experience applying for college. Hope for Youth and Families offers help with the process, including filling out applications, essays and federal student aid forms.

The last leg of the organization’s programming focuses on the arts. “All the arts,” Bolduc said, including visual arts like photography, filmmaking, painting, drawing; performing arts, such as dance, acting, singing, hip hop, percussion, ballet, jazz quartet, clarinet, trum-

pet, band, violin and beats; as well as creative writing, blogging and poetry.

Bolduc said many cities have had to cut their arts programs due to funding. The HOPE Center works to fill the gap left behind with after school sessions and an all-day summer program complete with free breakfast and lunch. Students learn using professional equipment with instruction from qualified teachers, he said. Last year, Bolduc said 150 people attended lessons throughout the summer, while 185 are enrolled for afterschool programming during the current 2024-25 school year.

Hope for Youth & Families bought the former CityStage facility at 150 Bridge St. for $1 million from the city of Springfield in 2024. “Everything in that building was 50 years old.

Everything had to be gutted,” Bolduc said. Renovation of the space was an extensive undertaking, and Bolduc said the first $10 million of the project’s cost was mainly funded by the family foundation that also funds the center’s operations.

However, there are many

lot at the YWCA’s headquarters on Clough Street in Springfield needs to be repaired because frost heaves and cracks have made it a safety concern. “Not a sexy project,” she said, adding, “There’s no real grant for that.”

Additionally, new flooring is needed at the YWCA’s facility on Quirk Street in Holyoke, which houses eleven teens and young women and their children. HVAC work is needed agency wide.

Most of the remaining items on

the list are replacements for vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life. They include two passenger vans for transporting teens to programs, a vehicle for the Holyoke program, two plow trucks and a tractor. Dineen said the Clough Street location has 11 acres of land, and a tractor will allow the organization to be self-sufficient in its maintenance, rather than paying to have it cared for.

Eventually, Dineen said, she would like to see the organization build on the land, expanding its programming and the number of people it can help. When that happens, she fears the existing buildings will be less of a priority. For that reason, she said that she wants to ensure that as many repairs and projects as possible are completed.

“If you don’t stay on top of that, a small leak or a small crack

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can become catastrophic” financially, she said.

That is why the YWCA applied for the earmark the first time it pursued the funding source. She said that she worked closely with the regional directors from Warren’s and Markey’s respective offices. Dineen praised Markey’s regional director, Jesse Lederman, who was familiar with the Clough Street site from his time on the Springfield City Council. She also said she was impressed that Warren’s regional director, Mark Antonio Williams, toured the site, visited the shelter and became acquainted with the organization’s needs.

“Here are two advocates that are men that helped work with an organization that serves mostly women,” Dineen said.

More information about the YWCA and its programs can be found at ywworks.org.

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issues in the building that still need to be addressed, including the replacement of the original HVAC system. As it stands, there is no air conditioning in the summer, and the heating system has been faulty. The organization applied for the federal earmark to tackle this and other remaining projects, including procurement of a second bus to transport kids to the programs after school.

Bolduc is excited that the funding came through and is already thinking about the future of Hope for Youth & Families.

He said the goal is to expand to Chicopee and Holyoke, two other cities with large populations of low-income students who need the help Hope for Youth & Families provides.

“Nobody else does anything like this,” Bolduc said of offering all three programs free of change to area students. From his perspective, the help the organization provides is essential for students. He said, “They are growing and expanding and learning things. They discover they have talents they never knew they had.”

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Bombyx Brass Collective presents pre-spring concert

By Trent Levakis

tlevakis@thereminder.com

NORTHAMPTON — The Bombyx Brass Collective is gearing up for its next show, a pre-spring concert called “Musical Flurries,” on Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m. at the Bombyx Center in Florence.

The 35-member, semi-professional brass ensemble led by Music Director Juli Sansoucy was founded in January 2022 and plays a mix of musical genres from classical to jazz to pop.

Members include active and retired music teachers, working professional musicians and talented amateur musicians.

The pre-spring “Musical Flurries” show is just one of the group’s regularly scheduled programs. They aim to put on three per year at a minimum.

“Basically, it’s kind of a potpourri of different styles of music, different types of music, basically all 20th-century music, but definitely different genres,” said Ira Brezinsky, an organizer and member of the collective.

A donation of $25 is suggested for the concert, but admission to all Bombyx Brass performances is free of charge, and donations are always accepted. To learn more about this upcoming event, as well as all the other programming at the Bombyx Center, visit www.bombyx.live.

The diverse, family-friendly program features two original works for brass choir: the iconic “Symphony for Brass and Percussion” by Alfred Reed and “Overture in F Minor” by Jean Sibelius. The concert will also include well-known music from John Williams and Hans Zimmer, and standards from the rock group Chicago.

Brezinsky said the show’s first section of performances is very well known among brass players and brass music fans.

“It will be an exciting piece.

The middle movement is really

beautiful. The first and the third movements are just super exciting, a lot of percussion. Just big, big sound,” said Brezinsky. “‘The Overture in F Minor’ is also an original piece for brass, which is kind of cool because oftentimes, we’re playing transcriptions and arrangements for brass that are normally played on different instruments. It’s also something that really demonstrates really solid, nice brass writing and playing.”

Brezinsky added that the process of transcription pieces of music to fit the brass collective’s form can be challenging, but often leads to interesting adaptations of beloved work for audiences.

“Trying to get the right kind of sound, sometimes just the technique is different. It can be challenging, but it’s also interesting. Sometimes, if we’re playing something that’s super well known, like the Chicago tunes — those were obviously originally written and played for a rock band with horns, but also a vocalist and that sort of thing. So, the arrangements we’re playing have to be switched up to accommodate our instrumentation. It’s just a different take, oftentimes, on music that people are familiar with and hearing it a different way,” explained Brezinsky.

Brezinsky said the show’s second half is the lighter side.

Performances will feature wellknown movie themes and more Brass Collective adapted performances of music from the rock band, Chicago, with percussion accompaniment.

“I suppose the reason for making it such a diverse program is because we’re doing it on a Sunday afternoon. Hopefully making it really attractive for families and young kids who will be interested in different types of music and keep their attention,” added Brezinsky.

Brezinsky said he hopes to see another great turnout for

Young@Heart, Hope Center present “Hope And Glory” SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Young@Heart and Hope Center for the Arts are proud to present “Hope and Glory,” a show that will combine the Hope for the future as represented by the Hope Center’s students, faculty and staff at the newly renovated center at 150 Bridge St. in Springfield. The Glory represents the life and times of the recently deceased Evelyn Harris, who was a member of Young@ Heart for the last 2.5 years of her life and who had such a magnificent impact in our region, nation and the world.

Special guests for the show will include: Members of Sweet Honey in the Rock, an all-female, African American a cappella ensemble that started in 1973. They are a three-time Grammy Award-nominated troupe who express their history as black women through song, dance, and sign language.

Evelyn Harris was a member of the group from 1974-1992.

Yasmeen Betty Williams is an American gospel singer and former member of the Sweet Honey

in the Rock from 1976 to 1986.

Williams grew up during the gospel explosion in Washington, D.C. As a youth, she received her training in gospel music from her cousin, Dr. Shirley AblesStarks of the Joy Gospel Singers and her aunt, Vara Simpson, the founder of two gospel groups – The Service Gospel Singers and The Spiritualettes, who were often featured on the Metro D.C. WOOK Radio Station for early Sunday Morning worship. After meeting in Sweet Honey in the 70’s, Yasmeen remained Evelyn’s most cherished friend for the remainder of her life.

Kayla Staley is the director of vocal ensemble at the Hope Center’s after school. Kayla is a bright fireball of energy based in Springfield Massachusetts.

A thriving freelance soul vocal artist, actress, dancer, social activist, and educator. Staley is the director of vocal ensemble at the Hope Center after school program.

Buy tickets at the Hope Center website hopecenterforthearts. org/events/youngatheart/

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The Bombyx Brass Collective.

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the Brass Collective’s March 1 “Musical Flurries” show, and expressed gratitude for the Bombyx Center for their partnership in helping them bring these performances to the community.

“We love to play for an audience. More often than not, the audience we get at the Bombyx Center is pretty good. A couple of hundred people might typically show up for one of our shows and having a pretty full house to play for is very gratifying. Most of our concerts that we do, we don’t get paid for. Whatever we collect at the door or in advance in terms of donations, [it] all just goes back into the pot to purchase music or equipment, advertising, that sort of thing,” said Brezinsky. “We haven’t been around all that long, but we’ve developed a little bit of

a following. We always see new faces, but we also see a lot of faces returning time after time, people that just appreciate and enjoy the kind of music and the kind of sound that we have.”

Other Bombyx Brass Collective happenings The Bombyx Brass Collective will also feature as performers on a parade float during this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holyoke. About eight to 10 members will perform class horn band music on one of the floats throughout the parade route.

Aside from the show and parade, Brezinsky also emphasized the group’s established special program, where they visit public schools throughout the region to share their talents and enthusi-

asm for music with students of all ages. The one-day program provides guidance to students during the school day and gives public performances in those communities the same evening.

Since 2023, the collective has visited music students in Holyoke, Monson, South Hadley, Sturbridge, Westfield and Wilbraham.

Coming up on April 2, the Bombyx Brass Collective will partner with Enfield Public Schools to visit with middle and high school music students during the day before putting on a community show that evening.

For more information and to inquire about having the Bombyx Brass Collective come to your community, school or organization, email bombyxbrass@gmail.com.

FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026 | SPRINGFIELD

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LEGAL NOTICES COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS THE TRIAL COURT HAMPDEN, Div. Probate & Family Court Dept.

HD25E0046PP To Althea Carter, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Anthony Carter, Machelle Carter-Wilson, Nominee of Encore Credit Corporation of Springfield, Hampden County, and to all other persons interested.

A petition has been presented to said Court by Anthony Wells, of Studio City, California, Los Angeles County, representing that they hold as tenants-in-common in an undivided part or share of land lying in Springfield, in the County of Hampden, setting forth that they desire that all of said land may be sold at private sale or public auction for not less than Two Hundred Thirty Thousand ($230,000.00) Dollars, and praying that partition may be made of all the land aforesaid according to law, and to that end that a commissioner be appointed to make such partition and be ordered to make sale and conveyance of all, or any part of said land which the Court finds cannot be advantageously divided either at private sale or public auction, and be ordered to distribute the net proceeds thereof after full adjudication of the equitable claims contained in said petition and supplemental memorandum filed with the Court.

If you desire to object thereto, you or your attorney, should file a written appearance in said Court at Springfield before ten o'clock in the forenoon on the fourth day of March 2026, the return day of this citation.

Witness, Claudine T. Stoudemire, Esquire, First Justice of said Court, this 4th day of February 2026.

Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register (February 12, February 19, February 26)

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION CARE AND PROTECTION TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS DOCKET NUMBER: 26CP0010WC COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Trial Court of Massachusetts Juvenile Court Department Worcester County Juvenile Court 225 Main Street Worcester, MA 01571 508-831-2000 TO: Father of Saffirah Ayala: A petition has been presented to this court by Department of Children and Families, seeking, as to the following child, Saffirah M Ayala, that said child be found in need of care and protection and committed to the Department of Children and Families. The court may dispense the rights of the person(s) named herein to receive notice of or to consent to any legal proceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or guardianship or any other disposition of the child named herein, if it finds that the child is in need of care and protection and that the best interests of the child would be served by said disposition.

You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this court, at the court address set forth above, on the following date and time: 04/29/2026 at 08:30 AM Status Hearing You may bring an attorney with you. If you have a right to an attorney and if the court determines that you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you.

If you fail to appear, the court may proceed on that date and any date thereafter to a trial on the merits and adjudication of this matter.

For further information call the Office of the Clerk-Magistrate at 508-831-2000.

WITNESS: Hon. Mary Beth Keating, FIRST JUSTICE DATE ISSUED: 01/29/2026 Brendan J. Moran, Clerk-Magistrate (February 19, February 26, March 5) INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. HD26P0259EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Division Estate of: Diane Patricia Roy Also Known As: Diane Benning Roy Date of Death: 01-01-2026 To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Debra A Haskell of Ellington CT a Will has been admitted to informal probate.

Debra A Haskell of Ellington CT has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure.

A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

(February 19)

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION CARE AND PROTECTION TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS DOCKET NUMBER: 26CP0010WC COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Trial Court of Massachusetts Juvenile Court Department Worcester County Juvenile Court 225 Main Street Worcester, MA 01571 508-831-2000 TO: Father of Saffirah Ayala: A petition has been presented to this court by NOTICE AND ORDER: Department of Children and Families, seeking, General Probate Petition to Remove as to the following child, Saffirah M Ayala, that the Child from the Commonwealth said child be found in need of care and protecDocket No. HD25P2560GD tion and committed to the Department of ChilCommonwealth of Massachusetts dren and Families. The court may dispense the The Trial Court rights of the person(s) named herein to reProbate and Family Court ceive notice of or to consent to any legal proHampden Probate and Family Court ceeding affecting the adoption, custody, or 50 State Street guardianship or any other disposition of the Springfield, MA 01103 child named herein, if it finds that the child is in In the interests of Elianette Nicole Aviles, need of care and protection and that the best minor interests of the child would be served by said Of Springfield, MA disposition.

NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES You are hereby ORDERED to appear in this 1. Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Genercourt, at the court address set forth above, on al Petition to Remove the Child from the Comthe following date and time: 04/29/2026 at monwealth filed on 1/28/2025 by Michelle M 08:30 AM Status Hearing Medina of Springfield, MA You may bring an attorney with you. If you will be held February 27, 2026 at 08:30 am have a right to an attorney and if the court deLocated 50 State St. 4th Floor, Springfield, MA termines that you are indigent, the court will A podcast 01103 from The Reminder appoint an attorney to represent you.

2. Response to Petition: You may respond by If you fail to appear, the courtFind may itproceed on your favorite streaming platform filing a written response to the Petition or by on that date and any date thereafter to a triappearing in person at the hearing. If you al on the merits and adjudication of this choose to file a written response, you need to: matter.

File the original with the Court; and For further information call the Office of the Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five Clerk-Magistrate at 508-831-2000.

(5) business days before the hearing.

WITNESS: Hon. Mary Beth Keating, FIRST 3. Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an JUSTICE adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to reDATE ISSUED: 01/29/2026 quest that counsel be appointed for the minor.

Brendan J. Moran, 4. Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor Clerk-Magistrate over age 14 has the right to be present at any (February 19, February 26, March 5) AGAWAM hearing, unless the Court finds that it is not in Anthony Fazio and Jane Fazio to Amjad Real Estate LLC, 554 Franklin St. Extn. the minor’s best interests.

Diane E. Vinesett to Amy B. Royal, 29 Plantation Drive Unit 29 Date: January 30, 2026 John T. O’Donnell to Mark J. Rolland and Corinne E. Rolland, 174 Beekman DriveA. Saccomani, Rosemary Kyle C. Devlin to Michael G. Robie Jr., 198 Beekman Drive Register of Probate Mark E. O’Malley to Silver Walnut LLC, 667-669 South West St. (February 19)

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Mark E. O’Malley to Silver Walnut LLC, 675-677 South West St. Phyllis Birch to Evgheni Emciuc, 94 Witheridge St. Waystar 800 Silver LLC, to OM Real Estate Holdings LLC, 800 Silver St

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Couture Property Group LLC, to Hector Ortiz Fontanez, 15 Riverview Place David Cote and Arlette F. Cote to Tyler Cote, 28-30 Wildermere St. Ellen J. Kapinos to Chicopee Electric Light, 645 Front St. Joel T. Kappenman to Jessica Bailey and Melanie Blanchard, 80 Stewart St. Lauren Rae Comtois and Christopher Comtois to Joshua Tracy, 176 Silvin Road Lori A. Jerusik to Dean T. Sydyka, Brenda L. Sydyka and Jason Lepage, 17 Jeanette Drive NZ Property LLC, to Alexandria Mattie Richard, 1130 Burnett Road PFC Investments LLC, to Chicopee Chestnut Street Properties LLC, 14-16 Chestnut St. PFC Investments LLC, to Chicopee Chestnut Street Properties LLC, 18-22 Chestnut St. Round Two LLC, to Haskell Holdings LLC, 22 Franklin St. WMass Land Acquisitions LLC, to DCL General Construction LLC, James Steet, Lot 1

EAST LONGMEADOW

Honeyrock Home Buyers LLC, to Jads LLC, 45 Parker St. Michelle Gonzalez, Michelle Garcia and Gabriel Sevillano to Zhaoshun Yang, 66 Smith Ave.

NOTICE AND ORDER: General Probate Petition to Remove the Child from the Commonwealth Docket No. HD25P2560GD Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 In the interests of Elianette Nicole Aviles, minor Of Springfield, MA NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES 1. Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a General Petition to Remove the Child from the Commonwealth filed on 1/28/2025 by Michelle M Medina of Springfield, MA will be held February 27, 2026 at 08:30 am Located 50 State St. 4th Floor, Springfield, MA 01103 2. Response to Petition: You may respond by filing a written response to the Petition or by appearing in person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written response, you need to: File the original with the Court; and Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing.

3. Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to request that counsel be appointed for the minor.

4. Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, unless the Court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests.

Date: January 30, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19) CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Docket No. HD16P0736EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 748-7758 Estate of: Jeannie Housey Also known as: Jeannie Ruth Housey, Jeannie R Housey Date of Death: 02/05/2016 To all interested persons: A Petition has been filed by: Michael Timothy Housey of Springfield MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order that Michael Timothy Housey of Springfield MA be appointed as Successor Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve on the bond and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on 02/27/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you.

The estate is being administered under formal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but recipients are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Claudine T. Stoudemire, First Justice of this Court.

Date: January 30, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

DIVORCE SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION AND MAILING Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Docket No. HD25D1045DR Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 Odalys M Hernandez-Mendez vs.

Menfil D Aguilar To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Irretrievable Breakdown The Complaint is on file at the Court.

An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411.

Your are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Odalys M Hernandez-Mendez 47 Sandalwood ST Pensacola, FL 32505 your answer, if any, on or before 03/19/2026. If you to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register for this Court.

WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First Justice of this Court Date: December 24, 2025 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

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CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. HD26P0194EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413)748-7758 Estate of: Edelmiro Rodriguez-Leon Date of Death: 08/03/2018 To all interested persons: A Petition for Late and Limited Formal Testacy and/or Appointment has been filed by Lillian Rodriguez of Springfield MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Lillian Rodriguez of Springfield MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/26/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you.

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Claudine T. Stoudemire, First Justice of this Court.

Date: January 29, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

CITATION ON PETITION FOR REMOVAL Docket No. HD16P0736EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 748-7758 Estate of: Jeannie Housey Also known as: Jeannie Ruth Housey, Jeannie R Housey Date of Death: 02/05/2016 To all interested persons: A Petition has been filed by: Michael Timothy Housey of Springfield MA requesting that Cleveland Housey of Springfield MA be removed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate.

You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on 02/27/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you.

WITNESS, Hon. Claudine T. Stoudemire, First Justice of this Court.

Date: January 30, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE DIVORCE SUMMONS BY Docket No. HD26P0137EA PUBLICATION AND MAILING Commonwealth of Massachusetts Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Division Docket No. HD25D1045DR Estate of: Hampden Probate and Family Court Khloe Rosario Quinones 50 State Street Date of Death: May 12, 2025 Springfield, MA 01103 To all persons interested in the above capOdalys M Hernandez-Mendez tioned estate, by Petition of vs.

Petitioner Wilfredo Rosario Hernandez of Menfil D Aguilar Springfield MA To the Defendant: Petitioner Honesty M. Quinones of SpringThe Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce field MA requesting that the Court grant a divorce for IrWilfredo Rosario Hernandez of Springfield retrievable Breakdown MA The Complaint is on file at the Court.

Honesty Quinones of Springfield MA An Automatic Restraining Order has been has been informally appointed as the Personal entered in this matter preventing you from takRepresentative of the estate to serve without ing any action which would negatively impact surety on the bond. the current financial status of either party. SEE Continued on next page The estate is being administered under informSupplemental Probate Court Rule 411. al procedure by the Personal Representative Your are hereby summoned and required to under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate serve upon: Code without supervision by the Court. InventOdalys M Hernandez-Mendez ory and accounts are not required to be filed 47 Sandalwood ST with the Court, but interested parties are enPensacola, FL 32505 titled to notice regarding the administration your answer, if any, on or before 03/19/2026. If from the Personal Representative and can petiyou to do so, the court will proceed to the heartion the Court in any matter relating to the esing and adjudication of this action. You are also Stephen F. Percy and Lorraine A. Percy to Zachary Jenkins and Ellen Serra, tate, 226 Allen St. distribution of assets $470,000 including and exrequired to file a copy of your answer, if any, in penses of administration. Interested parties are the office of the Register for this Court.

LONGMEADOW WITNESS, Hon. Barbara M Hyland, First entitled to petition the Court to institute formal Kimberly Nicole Hickson-torres to Liam Patrick Smyth and Caitlyn Sroczenski, 118 Field Road proceedings and to obtain orders $365,000 terminating Justice of this Court or restricting the powers of Personal RepresDate: December 24, 2025 SPRINGFIELD entatives appointed under informal procedure.

Rosemary A. Saccomani, 2180 Main Street LLC, to Razzak Building LLC, 2180-2184 MainofSt. $530,000 A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be Register Probate Alizaya Daysha Clark to Post Investment LLC, 47 Brookline Ave. $235,000 obtained from the Petitioner.

(February 19) (February 19) Ana L. Morrissey to John Mendenhall Jr.,108 Brunswick St. $320,000

$470,000 $230,000 $299,000 $235,000 $300,000 $300,000 $210,000 $330,000 $850,000 Desmond Wayne Henry Jr., to Joseph Pasay and Selena L. Pasay, 43 Thorndyke St. Gemini Town Homes LLC, to Leon A. Valderrama Rico and Alix V. Perez Rubio, 54 Central St. Unit 506 $227,000 Grahams Construction Inc., to Carlos A. Otero and Catherine Robles, 99 Crystal Brook Drive $670,000 $275,000 Heidi A. Kitchen to Stephen E. Marinetto, 32 Lindsay Road $336,700 $230,000 John J. Ferriter, administrator, and Frederick Blair, estate, to Tok Chang, 67 Carlisle St. $106,000 $150,000 Kenneth J. Dube to Morgan Sibley, 138 Warrenton St. $235,000 $240,000 KMak LLC, and Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC, to Luis A. Rodriguez Figueroa, 35-37 Spruce St. $550,000 $292,000 Luz Guerrero to Xuan Tuong Bui, Quoc Bao Bui and Thi Hanh Vo, 41 Queensbury Drive $318,000 $475,000 Mark Richard Pashko and Laura Lynn Pashko Paquette to Nelvis Noel Garcia, 115 Thompson St. $265,000 $360,000 Njre Property Group LLC, to Barbara K. Padilla Colon and Juan M. Padilla Colon, 665 Parker St. $300,000 $242,500 Pah Properties LLC, to Lee Ann Beauchamp, 72 Sunapee St. $315,000 $287,500 Patrick R. McNamara to Norquelis Veras and Jose Antonio Tejada Burgos, 83-85 Madison St. $440,000 $755,000 Phoenix Development Inc., to Yahaira Pena De Los Santos and Marilyn De Los Santos, 78-80 Shamrock St. $355,000 $220,000 US Bank Trust, trustee, and Determination Mortgage Trust, trustee of, to Carmen Rodriguez, 156-158 Norfolk St. $280,000 Virginia O. Pearson to Brent Thomas, 23 Mary St. $295,000 $303,800 $300,000 Yegor Stefantsev to Amjad Real Estate LLC, 52 Price St. $303,800 $421,000 Yegor Stefantsev to Amjad Real Estate LLC, 54 Price St.

Springfield MA Petitioner Honesty M. Quinones of Springfield MA WE ARERosario HOMETOWN NEWS | THEREMINDER.COM Wilfredo Hernandez of Springfield MA INFORMAL PROBATE Honesty Quinones of Springfield MA PUBLICATION NOTICE has been informally appointed as the Personal Docket No. HD26P0250EA Continued from previous page Representative of the estate to serve without Commonwealth of Massachusetts surety on the bond.

The Trial Court The estate is being administered under informProbate and Family Court al procedure by the Personal Representative Hampden Division under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Estate of: Code without supervision by the Court. InventSigmund J. Dymon ory and accounts are not required to be filed Also Known As: Sigmund John Dymon, with the Court, but interested parties are enSigmund Dymon titled to notice regarding the administration Date of Death: 10/29/2025 from the Personal Representative and can petiTo all persons interested in the above caption the Court in any matter relating to the estioned estate, by Petition of tate, including distribution of assets and exPetitioner AnnMarie A. Dymon of Springfield penses of administration. Interested parties are MA entitled to petition the Court to institute formal a Will has been admitted to informal probate. proceedings and to obtain orders terminating AnnMarie A. Dymon of Springfield MA or restricting the powers of Personal Represhas been informally appointed as the Personal entatives appointed under informal procedure.

Representative of the estate to serve without A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be surety on the bond. obtained from the Petitioner.

The estate is being administered under inform(February 19) al procedure by the Personal Representative

LEGAL NOTICES

CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION Docket No. HD26P0244EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413)748-7758 Estate of: Mary Louise Forkey Date of Death: 11/17/2025 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Tammy Buck of Springfield MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.

The Petitioner requests that: Tammy Buck of Springfield MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve Without Surety on the bond in unsupervised administration IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court.

You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 03/04/2026.

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you.

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Claudine T. Stoudemire, First Justice of this Court.

Date: February 04, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE Docket No. HD26P0254EA Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Division 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 (413) 748-8600 Estate of: Mary Jane Gauvin Date of Death: 7/8/2025 To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Julie Tyler of Springfield MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate.

Julie Tyler of Springfield MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.

The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure.

A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

(February 19)

under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure.

A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.

(February 19)

DIVORCE SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION AND MAILING Docket No. HD25D1406DR Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Hampden Probate and Family Court 50 State Street Springfield, MA 01103 Virgen M Colon vs. Angel L Colon To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Irretrievable Breakdown grant him/her custody of the child(ren). allow plaintiff to resume the former name of Virgen Maria Barta The Complaint is on file at the Court.

An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411.

You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Virgen M Colon 19 Forrestdale Ave Holyoke, MA 01040 your answer, if any, on or before 04/28/2026. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register for this Court.

WITNESS, Hon. Claudine T. Stoudemire, First Justice of this Court Date: January 27, 2026 Rosemary A. Saccomani, Register of Probate (February 19)

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144 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Tracey Ln., Pembroke Terr., Abbey Ln., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd. 129 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Mereline Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St. 45 Papers: Partial-Allen Street 166 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Villanova St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)

LONGMEADOW - HOOK DELIVERY THURSDAY

83 Papers: Williamsburg Dr., Eunice Dr., Tabor Crossing, Morgan Ridge, Burns Meadow, Churchill Dr., Partial - Converse St. 84 Papers: Chandler Ave., Partial - Longmeadow St. 109 Papers: Birnie Rd., Brookside Dr., Crescent Rd., Longview Dr., Fairhill Dr., Partial - Longmeadow St. 54 Papers: Bliss Rd. 87 Papers: Andover Rd., Ashford Rd., Cranwell Ln., Deerfield Ave., Willow Cir., Williston Dr., Willow Brook Rd., Partial - Frank Smith Rd. 157 Papers: Albemarle Rd., Arcadia St., Barclay St., Chiswick St., Fairway Dr., Franklin Rd., Lincoln Pk. & Rd., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd., Hillside Ter. 96 Papers: Brookwood Dr., Kenmore Dr., Knollwood Dr., Partial - Shaker Rd. 99 Papers: Barbara Ln., Quinnehtuk Rd., Village Dr., Pioneer Dr., Partial - Maple Rd., Frank Smith Rd., Wolf Swamp Rd. 100 Papers: Norway St., Nevins Ave., Partial - Maple Rd.

WILBRAHAM - HOOK DELIVERY THURSDAY

35 Papers: Arbor Ln., Greenwood Rd., Oak Ridge Dr., Old Orchard Rd., Russell Rd. 61 Papers: Gary Dr., Pidgeon Dr., Raymond Dr., Ruth Dr., Sawmill Dr. 228 Papers: Echo Hill Rd., Highmoor Dr., Meeting House Ln., Rice Dr., Ridge Rd., Highridge Rd., Hitching Post Ln., Peak Rd., Webster Ln., Partial - Mountain Rd., Monson Rd., Tinkham Rd., Main St.

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WE AR E OF FE RIN G A BO NU S INC EN TIV E TO NE W CA RR IER S AF TE R CO MP LE TIN G 4 WE EKS!

FEBRUARY 19 - 25 , 2026 | SPRINGFIELD

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