APRIL 9, 2026 | FREE
IN THIS EDITION
SPRINGFIELD
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.
Page 2
Formerly underperforming schools become Innovation Zone
Eight formerly underperforming schools have become founding members of the Innovation Zone, following a framework that will allow them to maintain their flexibility and continue to grow.
Page 4
JFS, refugees sue DHS over policy to detain refugees
A new federal policy would allow for the detention of refugees who have been in the country for more than one year without obtaining lawful permanent resident status, known as a green card.
Page 8
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. Sheriff’s separtments 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 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
importance of the city’s partnership with
conference as former Police
members of
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 Gear-
ing. 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 sheriff. 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 provide personnel to serve restraining orders during the day shift, which it has done since 2023. Instead, Walsh explained, Springfield police will take over issuing those 10
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno discusses the
the Sheriff’s Department in patroling Forest Park during a 2023 press
Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood and Sheriff Nick Cochi listen. Behind them are
the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Unit.
Reminder Publishing file photo
See SHERIFF on page 3
Neal, transportation officials deliver update on Compass Rail
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — 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, the state’s ambitious plan to connect Boston, New York City, Albany, New York, Connecticut and Vermont with a passenger rail.
Much of the conversation focused on West-East Rail, which would create round trips from Boston, through Worcester, Palmer, Springfield, Pittsfield, to Albany. At Springfield’s Union Station, passengers would be able to connect to north-south routes that would build off the existing Amtrak Vermonter, Valley Flyer and Hartford Line/Northeast Regional. Amtrak is one of the partners involved in the Compass Rail expansion, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation Rail Administrator Meredith Slesinger said Amtrak was “a really good partner for us.”
Currently, there are no round trips between Worcester and Springfield, or Springfield and Pittsfield. There are three round trips from Springfield to Greenfield and nine from Springfield to New York City, via Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut. Despite the limited service, there are 230,000 trips on existing Massachusetts rail lines each year, with trips from Springfield to New York City representing the largest percentage of these.
Phase I will begin in 2030, with the Inland Route, a line that will include two round trips from Boston to Springfield to New Haven. In 2033, a station is set to be built in Palmer, and proposed enhancements to the Hartford Line will increase the number of round trips between Springfield and New Haven to 16. To reach this milestone, there will need to be an enhanced New Haven layover, in conjunction with
the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Operating costs are expected to increase by $3.5 million, to $15 million annually. Massachusetts Department of Transportation expects ridership numbers in Massachusetts to reach 575,000 per year.
Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng jokingly quoted the movie “Field of Dreams,” saying, “If you build it, they will come.”
In 2045, Phase III will bring full service to West-East Rail, with five round trips between Boston and Springfield and two between Springfield and Albany. To accommodate the new traffic, Boston’s South Station will be expanded, two or three additional trainsets will be purchased, and track infrastructure upgrades will be needed along the West-East Rail tracks.
West-East Rail Director Andy Koziol noted, “The work may not always happen in Western Massachusetts,” but projects in various locations will make the whole expansion possible.
Eight projects are underway to prepare for the next decade of changes. Koziol said, “These projects grew upon each other.” They include first steps of the Inland Route, the Boston & Albany Corridor ID Program and track reconfigurations in Springfield. Planning and design work for the Palmer Station and a second platform in Pittsfield is in the works.
The CSX railroad crossing in West Springfield, which has long led to traffic delays, will receive a flyover rail bridge. Finally, a passive crossing improvement project is slated for Longmeadow. Koziol explained that some of the projects include straightening stretches of track, adding a second track or changing the signaling system.
Top, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal announced a $1.2 million federal earmark for Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control design on Platform C at Springfield’s Union Station on April 1. Below, from left: An Amtrak train pulls into Springfield’s Union Station in advance of U.S. Rep. Richard Neal announcement of a $1.2 million federal earmark for Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control design. A graphic outlines eight Compass Rail projects underway.
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen, Chris Maza
Funding for the rail upgrades has been sourced from state, federal grants and earmarks, and through Amtrak. Slesinger said the expansion is “very reliant on discretionary grants.” To date, $157 million has been secured in federal rail grants, including $108 million from the Federal Railroad Administration in 2024 to plan, design and construct the Inland Route. A $3.5 million grant paid for the identification of service levels and needed capital projects for the Boston and Albany Corridor. An award of $36.8 million is pending from the Federal Railroad Administration for the final design of the Springfield track reconfigurations.
After the roundtable, Neal, Slesinger and Koziol announced a $1.2 million federal earmark for Knowledge Corridor Positive Train Control design, which Slesinger said is required under federal law and Eng called “critical technology.”
“This earmark is just the latest round of funding in what has been a sustained federal investment in passenger rail over the last several years,” said Neal.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was written in the Ways and Means Committee during my time as chairman, which is why I take great satisfaction in seeing Massachusetts continuing to realize the benefits of our historic efforts.”
An additional $173.2 million in grants for maintenance modernization for Springfield’s tracks are being sought.
After presenting the updates to Compass Rail, the state officials took questions from the legislators and stakeholders in the room.
State Rep. Kelly Pease, who represents Westfield and Southampton, asked if any additional stops would be added between Springfield and Pittsfield. Koziol said none are currently planned, but a study is planned to help determine need.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira, representing the Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester District, asked if it was possible to construct the Palmer station earlier than it is now planned. Koziol said the right funding opportunity would be needed. “Things can change quickly, especially when dealing with federal funding,” he said. Plans for the Palmer sta-
tion have not been finalized, but Koziol said it is “more real than it’s ever been.”
State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, representing Pittsfield, asked about a route through the northern Berkshires. Slesinger said rightof-way track ownership between multiple entities increases the difficulty of planning such a route. Referring to the partnerships between MassDOT, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Amtrak and CSX, Eng said, “The public doesn’t care” which agency runs the transportation, only that it is “seamless.”
“No matter where you are, transportation is essential,” said Eng, and “rail is a key component.” Eng also emphasized the need to shorten trips and an express service. “If we want to have further distances, we have to have faster trips,” he said.
Eng said that every $1 billion spent on transportation supports 40,000 jobs. He lauded Neal’s efforts to have CSX rail cars released from U.S. Customs, which had them impounded for the better part of a year due to concerns over forced labor. The allegations have since been cleared, and the cars were released.
In a press release about the Compass Rail update, Gov. Maura Healey said, “West-East rail is about more than transportation. It is about connecting people to jobs, education and opportunity across our state. Our administration has made this a priority because stronger rail connections mean a stronger economy for every region of Massachusetts. I’m grateful to Congressman Neal for his continued partnership in advancing this work and helping move this investment forward as we deliver reliable, modern rail service that people can count on.”
Pain at pump adds to list of voter cost concerns
By Michael P. Norton State House News Sercice
If affordability concerns are a top issue for voters in 2026, many are likely finding new reasons to be upset.
Citing its weekly survey, AAA reported on March 30 that the average price of a gallon of gas in Massachusetts rose to $3.80, or 90 cents a gallon higher than a year ago at this time. The auto
Sheriff
Continued from page 1
to 20 restraining orders per day, as they do on other shifts.
The Sheriff’s Department has had a permanent presence in Forest Park, often including the mounted units, since 2020, and Walsh said that their high visibility was useful. Now, the park will be included in regular patrols of the area, and bike units will patrol the park in the summer months.
The relatively new Safe Travels program, begun in September 2025, saw officers from the Springfield Police Department, Sheriff’s Department and Amtrak Police Department collaborate to have a dedicated presence at Union Station. With the end of Sheriff’s Department participation, Walsh said, “We’re just losing a handful of personnel there.”
Walsh said the changes were not expected to affect the Police Department’s budget. Some overtime hours may be redirected to cover the bike patrol units. Walsh said he did not believe the other ways in which the Sheriff’s Department supports the Springfield Police Department would be affected by the cuts. These include having deputies assigned to warrant teams and the transfer of some arrested individuals to the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow.
In Holyoke, the Sheriff’s De-
club attributed the price spikes to the ongoing U.S. war with Iran and the higher demand for gas that occurs each spring.
“As the national average nears $4 a gallon — rising more than $1 in one month — crude oil prices remain elevated amid uncertainty about the direction of the war, settling above $100 a barrel when markets closed on Friday,” AAA said. “Continued attacks on infrastructure
partment has regularly assigned deputies to assist the Holyoke Police Department during large events such as the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Road Race and Parade.
Additionally, the sheriff typically has two deputies who run programs to connect at-risk individuals with addiction recovery and treatment resources. During the last fiscal year, that unit recorded 2,857 successful outreach contacts, 1,049 referrals and transported 338 people to treatment and Medication Assisted Treatment programs.
Those positions will no longer be staffed unless the city funds them, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan said the announcement came as a surprise.
“I was shocked,” Keenan said.
“Our mantra here is doing more with less, so we’ll get through it.
My concern is the recovery center where our detectives go out with sheriff’s deputies and meet with people [who] have overdosed. It’s going to be a little more challenging to get done, but we will.”
Keenan said he is concerned about the future of the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Basketball Program, which is funded and staffed by the Sheriff’s Department.
“I’m hoping that won’t go and starve because that really helps a ton of kids that don’t have a lot of other things to do,” he said.
across the Persian Gulf region and Iran’s stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz are keeping pressure on oil and gas prices around the globe.”
Higher prices at the pump are adding to the cost pressures playing out in household food, housing, energy and electricity bills.
Republican candidate for governor Brian Shortsleeve recently called for the state gas tax to be suspended until prices come
He added that the city could also lose community service support provided by the Sheriff’s Department, including maintenance work at municipal buildings. “They do a great job helping with municipal buildings and cleaning up, painting, and really filling the gap where DPW work needs to be done with the community service stuff,” Keenan said.
Other programs could be affected by these cuts at the Sheriff’s Department, according to Keenan, including a couple that were introduced last year.
In July 2025, Holyoke and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office launched an After Incarceration Support Systems satellite office at 310 Appleton St., bringing reentry and support services closer to city residents. The programs included Holyoke Police Department’s Street Outreach Program, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department’s All Inclusive Support Services for formerly incarcerated individuals, and Holyoke’s Community Response Advocate, a newly created position providing guidance, referrals, support services and answers to individuals with questions or difficulties.
Keenan said the location has made services more accessible, and the AISS program has been especially valuable.
“It makes it a lot easier because somebody getting out of jail doesn’t necessarily have a license or transportation,” he said. “If you
down but there’s been fewer calls on Beacon Hill for gas tax relief compared to a significant push that took shape in 2022 when the Russian-Ukraine war sparked in a surge in gas prices.
Sen. Edward Markey this week called on executives at ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell and BP to “refrain from awarding executives profits generated from rising oil prices during Trump’s illegal war
live in Holyoke and have to take two buses to Springfield, it’s going to take you four hours.”
Although he stated you can’t always quantify wins and losses, Keenan credited those sheriff-supported programs for reducing overdose deaths in the city.
“The reduction of overdose deaths, which was 18% last year, is directly attributed to a lot of the programs the Sheriff’s Department funds and works in conjunction with the Holyoke Police Department,” Keenan said.
The Holyoke Police Department will look for grant funding to help offset these service losses that were announced, according to Keenan. He said the recent developments may also affect overtime spending.
“It certainly won’t be optimal, but we’ll limp through it,” he said. Keenan shared a message to the residents who may be affected by the loss of programs and reaffirmed his support for Cocchi and his department.
“Your city is safe. Holyoke Police officers work hard for you; we’re out there 24 hours a day, and we support the Hampden County Sheriff,” Keenan said. “We’re thankful for our partnership with Nick Cocchi. We’re confident he’ll get through this. I’ve known Sheriff Cocchi for 32 years. He’s an incredibly resilient person, an incredibly smart person, and if anybody can figure this out, he can. He’ll get through this, we’ll
in Iran.” Markey also called for the reversal of a “time-limited” 8% increase in transportation-related postage prices that was approved by the Governors of the Postal Service on March 24.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp earlier in March expressed an openness to pausing gas taxes to mitigate spiking prices due to the war in Iran, Pluribus reported.
get through this.”
Chicopee also finds itself in a difficult situation following the cuts. The Sheriff’s Department currently staffs three full-time analysts at the city’s Real-Time Information Center, a five-person operation that uses camera networks and AI-assisted software to support investigations and public safety efforts across Hampden County.
Additionally, POST-certified deputies serve 209A restraining orders in Chicopee and act as force multipliers when city patrol staffing is down. Those positions will no longer be filled unless reimbursed by the city or another agency.
Travis Odiorne, speaking on behalf of Interim Police Chief Eric Watson, said the department would not comment further at this time.
“I spoke to the chief about this, and he feels that everything was covered in the sheriff’s news conference and doesn’t want to make any comments on it,” Odiorne said. “Since the cuts mainly affect the sheriff’s office, he believes all comments should come from his office.”
While the potential for further rounds of cuts certainly exists, Rizzuto said, “We’re hoping we don’t have to. We’re waiting to see what happens with the budget” which the Legislature is working currently on. “We’re hoping for a dialog with the governor’s office.”
Formerly underperforming schools become Innovation Zone
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — With a vote from the Springfield School Committee on March 30, eight formerly underperforming schools have become founding members of the Innovation Zone, following a framework that will allow them to maintain their flexibility and continue to grow.
The Innovation Schools initiative was created by a state law in 2010 to provide schools with autonomy, permitting them to remain in the municipal school district, while also providing them with the flexibility around curriculum, budget, schedules and calendars, staffing, professional development and policies with the aim of closing the achievement gap.
By 2014, nine schools, including three school-within-a-school “academies” in Springfield were among the bottom 4% of schools in the state. To avoid the state placing the schools in receivership, the city worked with Boston-based nonprofit Empower Schools to create the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. SEZP schools were given autonomy to select, compensate, evaluate, and dismiss principals; given discretion over working conditions, curriculum, scheduling, and professional development and given control over school budgets. Eventually, 16 schools would become part of SEZP.
In 2025, it was announced that Chestnut Accelerated Middle School Talented and Gifted,
John J. Duggan Academy, Van Sickle Academy, Springfield High School of Commerce and four academies within it — Aspire Academy, Discovery Polytech Early College, Springfield Honors Academy and Rise Prep Early College — had met metrics to transition out to SEZP.
That fall, a committee was created to explore transitioning the schools into the Innovation status. School Committee member Rosa Valentin was named chair of the steering committee as a liaison from the School Committee.
Michael Calvanese, the former principal of Duggan Academy, was charged with transitioning the schools out of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership.
The Innovation Planning Committee then began designing what an Innovation school in Springfield would look like.
Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said the plans were created with “intention and thought.” While schools in many communities have created Innovation schools, Calvanese said this is the first Innovation Zone containing multiple schools. Many of the structures that were put in place to improve student achievement will be left in place.
The Innovation schools have a significant amount of autonomy but also operate within a unified structure. For example, the schedules at the Innovation schools all provide 1,475 hours per school year — more than at a standard Springfield Public School. The schools will all use data-driven instruction. Students will have
access to various pathways, including vocational, enrichment and post-secondary education.
Educators will have a focus on professional learning systems.
While autonomous, the schools will need to adhere to Springfield Public Schools standards. Curricula and materials are vetted by an in-house Teacher Leadership Team with the same
thoroughness used on Springfield Public Schools curricula, Dinnall said.
The expectations and accountability will align with that of the School Department. The autonomy is further tempered by a requirement to provide the School Committee and the state with metrics to determine student achievement, including MCAS scores, attendance levels, and graduation and drop-out rates.
After the Innovation plan was created, the teachers union voted on whether to accept it. Calvanese explained that the approval of two-thirds of the teachers was required to pass the plan.
Ninety percent of teachers in the union voted by secret ballot and 90% of those who voted approved the plan.
Two math teachers at Duggan Academy spoke at the meeting, praising the “student-centered approach” that has been allowed to grow at the school. One said the students were becoming “independent learners” and “problem solvers.” The other teacher said the Innovation Zone was “an unbelievable opportunity for the city to continue the progress these schools have made.”
Dinnall previously worked in Hartford Public Schools and said the superintendent she worked under created a system in which schools could earn autonomy based on their performance. She said, “I always had a vision of replicating that, of bringing greater autonomy to more schools in Springfield.” The Innovation Schools will allow for a similar structure. Achievement will be tracked in “real-time” through myriad points of data, Dinnall said. She added that using data well allows schools to pivot quickly when a method or material is not working. “Schools can switch within months instead of waiting for the next budget cycle,” Dinnall said. Dinnall clarified that the standard, top-down model also has a role to play. “The structure works, but there are other structures,” she said. Nonetheless, she said she would like to see more Springfield Schools join the Innovation Zone in the future.
“We’re very happy,” said Valentin. “It was a lot of work.” She lauded Calvanese as having done most of the hard work. He has now been tasked with operating the Innovation Zone.
Duggan Academy 7th grader Jeyceir Ford Capdeville gets a high-five from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno on the first day of school.
Republican file photo
SCOUTMASTER — After more than a half-century of leading young people in Scouting America, Alice Richard was honored by the Springfield City Council on March 23. Richard, seen here with Troop 49 and the City Council, was the first female scoutmaster in Western Massachusetts and was inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2010.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
show!
Wagner named executive director at Springfield Prep
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Prep Charter School has a new executive director, but she may look familiar to students and staff.
After Springfield Prep’s founder and former executive director, Bill Spirer, announced in fall 2025 that he would be leaving the position, the school’s Board of Trustees searched for a replacement, but did not have to look far.
Meghan Wagner, Springfield Prep’s chief financial officer and chief operations officer of 10 years, stepped into the top job on April 1.
Spirer lent Wagner his full confidence, saying in a press release about the change in leadership, “The school would not be where it is today without her profound impact, and I am eager to see Springfield Prep thrive under her leadership.”
Wagner began her career at Achievement First Hartford Academy, a charter school in Hartford, Connecticut. While there, she worked to build the program, which now includes Achievement First Hartford Summit Middle School and Achievement First Hartford High School. She said she was excited to join Springfield Prep, which had only been open for about a year, and bring with
her the lessons she had learned in Hartford.
Wagner said she was never particularly interested in working in traditional public schools. “I’m really intrigued by the opportunity to think about alternative treatments for education,” she said. “Some of these different models, we’re able to pivot and meet students’ needs in different ways.”
At Springfield Prep, she explained, there are two teachers in each class, providing more support for students and more collaboration for educators. The K-8 school has longer-than-average days Monday through Thursday and a shorter Friday to facilitate routine professional development, something not seen in most public school systems.
Another aspect of Springfield Prep’s uniqueness is the fledgling alumni support program, something Wagner is particularly excited to oversee and grow. There are three classes of students who have graduated from the eighth grade at Springfield Prep. The alumni program is working to support those students that are now in high school and may soon be moving into post-secondary education. Wagner said Springfield Prep recently hosted a well-attended college panel for alumni and their families to ask questions and learn about col-
lege options.
Wagner said Springfield Prep is a special school that she “deeply cares about.” She said, “It’s about the people, but it’s
also a deep belief in the mission, which is to expand access for students in the Springfield community. I’m really excited to continue supporting them.”
Listening With Love expands, Govan
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — There is more love available to Springfield area residents looking for someone to listen, since the expansion of Listening With Love, a counseling and mental health care business in Indian Orchard.
Zaida Govan, a social worker and therapist, opened Listening With Love in January 2022 when she saw wait times of six to 12 months to see mental health clinicians. “Within six months, I had a waitlist,” she said. Listening With Love now has 10 clinicians. Govan said the practice had outgrown its space at 54½ Main St., so when the storefront next door at 54 Main St. became available, she decided to expand.
With the added space, Listening With Love can now accommodate five patients at a time in individual therapy rooms, with space downstairs for group therapy, Govan said. She plans to hire five more clinicians.
Listening With Love offers several forms of therapy, including narrative, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral and art therapies. “I specialize in trauma and addiction, particularly with women,” Govan said, but other clinicians at Listening With Love have their own specialties, and treat adults, teens and children.
At the grand opening of Listening With Love’s new space on March 27, City Council President Tracye Whitfield delivered two proclamations. In reading the City Council’s proclamation, she quoted Dr. Cornell West, who said, “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Whitfield further spoke about how Govan, who is also the Ward 8 City Councilor, has worked to support Springfield residents, particularly those in Indian Orchard. She also shared that Govan helped her become comfortable with seeking a therapist.
The second proclamation was from Mayor Domenic Sarno, who proclaimed March 27, 2026, to be Listening With Love Day in the city of Springfield.
State Sen. Jake Oliveira’s district director, Jennifer Pickering, and State Sen. Adam Gomez’s communications director, Chris Gongora, presented Govan with a citation from the Senate. A citation from the state House of Representatives was presented to Govan on behalf of state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez by his district director, Lisandra Rosario, and state Rep. Orlando Ramos by
recognized
Chief of Staff Ayanna Crawford.
Managing
Staff
Levakis, Cliff Clark, Tyler Garnet, Peter Tuohy
Graphic Design Manager: Beth Thurber
Graphic Design Department: Leigh Catchepaugh, Lorie Perry, Sophia McClellan, Susan Bartlett, Jim Johnson-Corwin, Molly Arnio
Sales Manager: Scott Greene
Account Executives: Matt Mahaney, Paula Dimauro, Lisa Nolan, Jeanette Grenier, Paul Poutre, Andy Shaw, Laura Tassistro
Classified Account Managers: Roxanne Miller-Longtin, Evan Marcyoniak, Shannon Spada
“Spaces like this are what we need in Springfield,” School Committee member Rosa Valentin said. Sherrod Johnson, a clinician who works at Listening With Love, said he joined Govan because he could not meet the needs of the community in his previous job. Like Whitfield, he said Govan “gives back to the community selflessly.”
said she has been in recovery and pursuing a path in mental health care since 1989.
In her remarks, Govan thanked her husband for his support. “Anytime I want to do something, he says, ‘Okay,’ and then we figure out how to do it,” she said. Govan candidly referred to her own history of substance use disorder, but
The name Listening With Love was suggested by a friend who told Govan, “That’s what you do. You listen with love.” Govan said, “You don’t realize people are watching you.”
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
Meghan Wagner takes the reins as Springfield Prep Charter School’s new executive director. Reminder Publishing submitted photo
City Councilor Zaida Govan (center) was provided with a citation from the State Senate after her business Listening With Love expanded. Reminer Publishing photo by Sarah
BASKETBALL
The Springfield Central Boys Basketball team lost in the PVIAC Class A semifinal to Chicopee Comprehensive High School 65-64 on February 18, at Springfield Central High School. Central later advanced to the MIAA Division 1 state semifinals.
Tahir Bey glides to the rim on the fast break.
Marcus Rabb jumps past the defender and scores.
Allen Miranda makes the basket and draws the foul.
Allen Miranda leans past the defender.
Jahir Charles steps to the line for a free throw.
SPRINGFIELD VS CHICOPEE COMP
Tahir Bey pushes the ball forward in transition.
Allen Miranda dives through the defense and scores.
Jonathan Beckford throws down a big dunk.
Aden Cabrera elevates for the score.
Marcus Rabb crosses over at the point.
JFS, refugees sue DHS over policy to detain refugees
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — While Fikiri Amisi recently became an American citizen, he remembers the struggle of coming to the United States as a refugee.
“It is a long process. It took time,” he said. Before Amisi was allowed to enter the country, he filled out documentation, met with several different government agencies, received immunizations, affidavits from doctors, and was vetted to rule out illicit drug use and any criminal history. “Refugees are all heavily screened before we’re allowed into the country,” said Amisi. “For refugees to come, it is not a small process of one or two months. It takes years.”
For this reason, Amisi, who is now a refugee employment specialist with Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts, said a recent policy change by federal Citizenship and Immigration Services and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, both of which are part of the Department of Homeland Security, is “unreasonable.” The policy would allow for the detention of refugees who
have been in the country for more than one year without obtaining lawful permanent resident status, known as a green card.
However, refugees must be physically present in the country for one year before they are allowed to apply for lawful permanent resident status. Amisi said the policy allows no time for people to go through the green card process, which took Amisi more than one year due, in part, to interruptions connected to the coronavirus pandemic. “I know many in the community who haven’t received their green card. Some, they have two years in process, in process, in process.”
Amisi said, “Many refugees are just beginning to get their lives in order. The countries where we came from, we were in fear.”
He said the idea of detention is frightening for many and causes emotional distress. “It’s not fair.
It’s not fair,” he said. “We are not a threat to the United States.”
When reached for comment, U.S. Customs and Immigration Service Spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser stated, “The Trump Administration is implementing longstanding law as Congress in-
tended: requiring aliens admitted as refugees to be fully re-vetted after a year. This is not novel or discretionary; it is a clear requirement upheld by the courts for years. Fully vetting and screening refugees is critical to protecting national security and the American public from known failures of the Biden administration.”
To block the federal government from implementing the policy, Jewish Family Service joined six refugees and the International Institute of New England in a class action lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security, ICE and CIS.
A lawsuit against the federal government is not something Jewish Family Service undertook lightly. Camille Wathne, director of special projects at Jewish Family Service, said it is, “unusual but important work” because the policy change would affect as many as 1,000 of Jewish Family Service’s clients.
Jewish Family Service provides a variety of programs, including those for Jewish Life, older adults and behavioral health. It also has robust programs for citizenship and immigration, and new Americans. These programs offer services, such as case management, English language classes, enrollment in school and help finding employment. Referring to the memorandum and other immigration policy changes under the Trump administration, Camille said, “It’s a pretty direct attack on the work we do.”
The suit, filed on Feb. 27 in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, states the policy violates the U.S.
Robert
CHICOPEE
Theodore J. Beauregard
Edward Brayley
Joyce A. Grycel
Jeannine M. Martell
Darlene J. Peck
EAST LONGMEADOW
George Thomas Herberger
Kathleen M. Snow
GRANBY
Jeannette A. Boczon
George R. Hodgins
HAMPDEN
Cynthia M. Crum
SPRINGFIELD
Jessie Desmarais
Betty V. Dubay
Leon Houston Jr. Margaret Kazalis
Adelia Kordzikowski
Nancy L. Martin
Felix Salzano
Katherine Spada
Joanne M. Staton
Carmen M. Taylor
Joyce Eleanor Trench (Robinson)
Ralph J. Valenti
Constitution’s Fourth and Fifth amendments — prohibition of warrantless seizures and the right to due and equal protection, respectively — according to the main complaint. The plaintiffs say the policy changes were piloted on Jan. 9 in Minnesota as “Operation Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening” or “Operation PARRIS,” and go on to state, “The Administration is systematically implementing policies that are hostile to refugees, with the end goal of terminating their refugee status and expelling refugees en masse.”
Under the previous policy, which had been in place since 2010, a refugee’s failure to obtain lawful permanent resident status after one year of physical presence in the country was not, in and of itself, treated as basis for detention or removal from the United States. If the refugee was arrested on another matter, the Department of Homeland Security was required to either release the person or begin removal proceedings within 48 hours.
A memorandum released by ICE and CIS in February regarding the policy change cites part of the U.S. Code that states a refugee must “return or be returned to the custody of the Department of Homeland Security for inspection and examination.” The memo states that returning to custody may include submitting an application for legal permanent status or appearing for a scheduled interview or appointment. However, it also states, “‘Custody’ as used in” the federal code “means detention.”
Anyone who does not voluntarily turn themselves over to Homeland Security would be arrested and detained. The memo does not state how long the person would remain in custody or where they would be held. Instead, the cited legal basis for the detention states it is “not indefinite” but “may last for the reasonable length of time it takes to inspect and examine the alien to determine whether he or she is admissible.”
On March 23, Judge Richard G. Stearns granted a stay of the policy change’s enforcement. In granting the motion, he wrote that the plaintiffs are likely to be successful in their argument that equating custody and detainment is unlawful. He noted that it has not historically been used in that context and “Refugees are not detained upon arrival and thus cannot be “returned” to detention.” He also stated, “The individual plaintiffs are at risk of unlawful and unnecessary detention, a quintessential example of irreparable harm.”
Despite the stay of enforcement, Wathne said, the potential of detention has had “a chilling effect.” She said refugees are hesitant to take their children to school, go to work or access services they are entitled to, for fear they will be detained.
“If you come as a refugee, you are on a path to legal settlement,” she said, adding that they have a right to “live without fear of deportation and arrest.” Ultimately, she said, the Trump administration has created “fear, distrust and stress, risking the safety of people who are a part of us.”
Campaign aims to secure assisted listening device system
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — Those with auditory and visual disabilities may soon have the necessary equipment to fully enjoy live performances at the Academy of Music Theatre.
The Northampton performance venue has launched an April fundraising campaign to help secure funding for the purchase and installation of the building’s first assisted listening device system.
The “Let’s Hear It!” campaign aims to raise $10,000 during the month of April, which will then enable the Academy to acquire the equipment needed to provide assistance to more than 30 patrons at one time during any event on the historic Northampton stage.
Academy Executive Director Debra J’Anthony said she is confident this project will accommodate audience members with auditory and visual disabilities who have previously been unable to fully experience performances, or who have opted not to attend live performances because of the lack of equipment.
“We had visited providing assisted listening devices, and in the begging, there were not as many options to accommodate the variety of programs that we offer, and it has only been recently, over the last 10 years or so, that we are able to provide a device that could cover film, band and theater,” J’Anthony told Reminder Publishing
J’Anthony said that enhancing accessibility at the theatre has been a priority for over a decade now, as seen through the wheelchair accessible additions made to the building inside and out over that time. In the last several years, the Academy tried to secure grant funds to help bridge the accessibility gap, but had no luck.
But now, with The Beveridge Family Foundation already contributing $2,000 to the campaign, and the Academy itself contributing another $2,500, the theatre is now asking the public to rally around the cause and help them close this campaign in April.
“We’re reaching out to the community to say, we would really like to provide a fuller experience for our patrons [who] require an assisted listening device. Not only those with hearing disabilities, but also, we are newly collaborating with Valley Eye Radio to hopefully provide, for certain shows, descriptions of what is going on stage so they can hear through the listening device,” added J’Anthony.
Valley Eye Radio is a nonprofit service for blind and visually impaired listeners with
The Academy of Music
the mission of keeping Pioneer Valley neighbors informed and connected by being a 24/7 accessible source of local news. The Academy’s partnership with the service is an effort to expand its reach to local venues that bring in live performances. The hope is to provide live remote broadcasts and collaborative events that bring community storytelling and live performance directly to listeners.
“Partnerships like this one between the Academy and Valley Eye Radio reflect what’s best about our region — organizations coming together to remove barriers and make culture, learning and connection accessible to all,” said Valley Eye Radio Executive Director Chloe Collins.
The two organizations will coordinate efforts for select performances during the 2026-27 theatre season. Other venues or individuals interested in partnering with or volunteering for Valley Eye Radio can visit its website at valleyeyeradio.org for more information.
J’Anthony added that the Academy is also seeking community amplifier sponsors who want to get involved. She said
FOSTER MEMORIAL CHURCH FOOD DRIVE
Foster Memorial Church, UCC, will hold its monthly food drive on Saturday, April 11, from 1-3 p.m. in the church’s back parking lot. They will be collecting non-perishable food for the Emergency Food Cupboard of the Open Pantry. All donations are very much appreciated. The church is located at 1791 Wilbraham Road.
they can reach out for more information by emailing development@aomtheatre.com.
“It is a very short campaign. We do hope to meet our goals and then purchase the devices in
May at some point, and then have them installed hopefully by early June,” added J’Anthony. “We’re very grateful for the community support.” Anyone interested in donat-
ing to this campaign can visit the donation page on the Academy website at aomtheatre.com/ donate-lets-hear-it/ or email development@aomtheatre.com for more information.
Reminder Publishing photo by Trent Levakis
EAST LONGMEADOW
- THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
144 Papers: St. Joseph Dr., Wisteria Ln., Pembroke Terr., Rockingham Cir., Dartmouth Ln., Partial - Prospect St., Chestnut St., Somers Rd.
129 Papers: Gerrard Ave., Holy Cross Cir., Kingston Ave., Lombard Ave., Nelson St., Roderick Ave., Partial- N. Main St.
166 Papers: Braeburn Rd., Channing Rd., Tufts St., Van Dyke Rd., Wood Ave., Boulder St., Admiral St., Thompson St., Partial-Dwight Rd. (odd side only)
131 Papers: Shawmut St., Mayfair St., Westminster St., Thompkins Ave., Partial-Gates Ave
64 Papers: Anne St., Helen Cir., John St., Vadnais St., Converse Cir.
327 Papers: Melwood Ave., Chestnut St., Bluegrass Dr., Maple St., Powder Hill Rd., Fairhaven Dr.
174 Papers: Orchard Rd., Pine Grove Cir., Partial-Parker St., Porter Rd., Allen St.
150 Papers: Breezy Knoll Rd., Elm St., Mapleshade Ave., Pleasant St., Oak Bluff Cir.
LONGMEADOW - THURSDAY, HOOK DELIVERY
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., Whitmun Rd., Woodmont Rd.
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.
157 Papers: Birch Rd., Yarmouth St., King Philip Dr., Sheffield Ave., Partial-Wolf Swamp Rd.
115 Papers: Hopkins Pl., Hawthorn St., Fairfield Ter., Laurel Ln., Partial-Laurel St. 42 Papers: Lynwood Dr., Duxbury Ln., Elizabeth
35 Papers: Arbor Ln., Greenwood Rd., Oak Ridge Dr., Old Orchard Rd.
Papers: Gary Dr., Pidgeon Dr., Raymond Dr., Ruth Dr., Sawmill Dr. 228 Papers: Echo Hill
