DOJ-Springfield Police consent decree dismissed
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Four years after the Springfield Police Department came under a consent decree by the federal Department of Justice resulting from a lawsuit, a judge has dismissed the oversight agreement.
On May 7, United States Magistrate Judge Michael Ponsor dismissed the consent decree upon the request of both the DOJ and the Police Department. The consent decree was a component of a 2022 lawsuit settlement, stemming from complaints about use of force by the department’s narcotics bureau.
The decree required the department to revise its use of force policy and accountability measures, and train officers on the topics, as well as de-escalation tactics. The city created the Board of Police Commissioners as a civilian oversight committee, and the narcotics bureau was disbanded and replaced with a firearms investigation unit.
At a May 11 press conference at Springfield City Hall, NAACP of Greater Springfield President Bishop Talbert Swan, Emurriel Holloway of MA Senior Action, Pioneer Valley Project Board of Directors President Rev. David Lewis and PVP board member Sister Melinda Pellerin were joined by Mayor Domenic Sarno, Police Superintendent Lawrence Akers and Capt. Brian Beliveau, who has led the department’s community engagement.
“We are here because the community demanded change. And let’s be clear, shining a light on injustice is not division. It is the beginning of justice,” said Lewis.
“Today, we mark the end of the federal consent decree involving the Springfield Police Department. It’s the end of the decree, but it is not the end of
accountability and transparency or reform,” Swan said. He credited members of the community for the reforms that had been achieved. He said reform could not have happened without people speaking up about their experiences and community organizations pushing for “federal intervention because the community had lost confidence in the system. The DOJ investigated and validated our concerns. And what followed was not punishment for the city of Springfield. It was an opportunity for it to become better,” said Swan. “Pub
lic safety and civil rights are not opposing values, they go hand in hand, and the progress achieved over these past years must not be reversed.”
The framework established under the consent decree consists of four pillars: oversight by the Professional Standards Unit, the processes and practices of the Firearms Investigation Unit, the Internal Investigations Unit’s audit and compliance system and continuous community engagement.
During the lawsuit, Sarno brought Roderick L. Ireland, a retired chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in as an advisor on the issue. Roderick said in a press release, “The fact that the Department of Justice and the Federal Court have dismissed the case reflects extremely well on Springfield’s Police Department. It tells me that the Police Department has addressed each and every concern that was raised.”
Kathleen O’Toole, the court-appointed compliance evaluator, said in a press release.
“As Lead Compliance Evaluator, I appreciate Judge Ponsor’s decision to approve the parties’ motion to terminate the consent decree. This outcome reflects substantial, sustained progress
Regarding the dismissed consent decree, Springfield Police Superin
dentend Lawrence Akers, seen here at his swearing in, said, “We’re just a much better community and a much better Police Department.”
by the city of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department in advancing constitutional policing, strengthening accountability, and building systems capable of enduring beyond federal oversight.”
Asked if the progress between the community and the Police Department has required compromise, Akers said, “Yes, there’s been compromise on both sides — I’m hesitant to say both sides because we should all be one side and that’s what we’re working toward.” He said the road to becoming one community, rather than adversaries, “was not easy in the beginning.”
He said he was glad not to be a part of the initial negotiations with the DOJ, “because that left a lot of bitter taste in some people’s mouth.”
Speaking about working with community leaders, he said, “When you have your mind set on doing things your way, it’s not easy to do something someone else’s way, and that’s what the communication and collaboration is all about. As time went on, we all began to grow closer together. When I first took over,
Reminder Publishing file photo
I wasn’t happy with a lot of things. And I have to say, a couple of times I did think people who were just trying to hold my department accountable were being a little adversarial and they didn’t want to hear what I had to say. But once I opened my mind, and others opened their minds on the other side, we began to come closer in understanding how each of us have to do our jobs.”
He added, “We’re just a much better community and a much better Police Department.”
Tracey Carpenter of MA Senior Action later told Reminder Publishing, “There was a lot of distrust and fear in the community, and we felt like that was a huge stumbling block in terms of giving people the confidence just to come and say what has happened to them or what their thoughts are. We have to acknowledge that there was great trauma in the city. We were willing to put our organizations on the line because the community trusts our organizations, and it was able to bridge some
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
Human trafficking happens in Western Massachusetts. That is the number one message Amber Estelle, deputy COO and clinical director of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, wants to share.
Estelle has personally worked with about 50 victims of trafficking through a program she ran for the YWCA. To her knowledge, none of the people were trafficked by the same person or group. The program was shuttered due to funding issues, but Estelle said the YWCA sees trafficking victims show up in their shelter program.
In 2024, the latest year for which there is data, the National Human Trafficking Hotline received 288 signals from Massachusetts, 91 of which were from victims or survivors of trafficking. While 68% of victims are trafficked for sex, people can also be trafficked for labor or a combination of the two. About 85% of trafficking victims are women, but men are also trafficked.
Estelle explained that traffick-
SPRINGFIELD — Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield is inviting people to an evening networking event at White Lion Brewing Co. in downtown Springfield on Thursday, May 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Registration is open now
ers are drawn to locations where people have disposable income. Such locations include highstakes sporting events, or as Estelle specifically noted, the MGM Springfield casino. She said Interstate 91 offers a corridor for travel between states without checkpoints, as does the passenger rail service through Springfield’s Union Station. These transportation methods make it easier to traffic people without fear of being caught, she said.
Estelle emphasized that not all sex workers choose to participate in that lifestyle. People who are being trafficked are often threatened and sometimes threatened with violence towards their child or other loved ones. Victims may be hesitant to leave because they think they are in love with their exploiter or they are trauma-bonded to other victims.
As part of the program she used to run at the YWCA, Estelle said she separated victims from the geographical area they were trafficked in. This lessened the likelihood of the victim being manipulated into going back to the
for members and nonmembers at SpringfieldYPS.com.
YPS of Greater Springfield is committed to fostering a community of rising professionals in Greater Springfield by giving them places to connect and continue learning through unique
situation. Estelle also said stable income is important because financial strain can be a powerful tool for manipulation.
When Estelle asks young people what a human trafficker looks like, she said the answers are usually the same. They assume traffickers look like “thugs” or “drug dealers,” someone who dresses “flashy” and drives an expensive car, Estelle said. However, the truth is that most victims of trafficking are exploited by someone they know.
Many times, traffickers will approach people online, pretending they are the same age and gender. After establishing a rapport and gaining someone’s trust, they will start asking personal questions and eventually get the victim to agree to meet them somewhere.
Traffickers also use other victims to befriend and recruit people, telling them they can make quick money and that “it’s not that bad,” Estelle said. The YWCA evicted a woman from their shelter because she was recruiting other women on behalf of a trafficker. Occasionally, parents with a substance use
experiences. The organization’s Executive Committee looks forward to coming together for an evening of good sips and great company at the inner-city brewery and encourages all those curious — whether they be first timers or networking pros — to register today.
“We represent the good that the region has to offer,” said Raymond Berry of White Lion Brewing Co. “As a stakeholder, [White Lion] proactively participates in conversations about the future of the community, and strives to enhance the spaces and places we all work, play and live in.”
The brewery has previously partnered with many businesses from Greater Springfield, including but not limited to the Spring-
disorder will sell their children to traffickers to fund their addiction.
“There’s no one person, no one race or gender. It could be a sweet, little, old lady baking cookies, but she could be a madam,” Estelle said.
Estelle said there are “red flags” to be aware of:
• If they ask a lot of questions or ask personal questions about where someone lives, works or their home life
• If they encourage someone to do something out of their comfort zone
• If they are a love bomber — someone who manipulates another person early in a relationship with over-the-top compliments, lavish gifts or grand gestures. They may want constant attention, pressure someone to move quickly, ignore boundaries or have sudden mood changes, including anger and withdrawal.
Another common tactic is approaching an intended target with talk of being a modeling scout or photographer and trying to get the person to model for them. Es-
field Republican, Well Fleet, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Spirit of Springfield, Explore Western Mass, the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Springfield Museums, MGM Casino, ENTRE Technologies and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Twelve years, two locations and two mobile units since the earliest stages of White Lion in 2014, Berry has a larger-thanlife reputation in the beverage industry that extends beyond Western Massachusetts. He was featured in a commercial by the Massachusetts Office on Travel and Tourism for their “Made Possible” campaign launched by Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. This debuted at the Governor’s Convention on Travel
telle said this happened to her on a train in California once. She did not go with the person but was later told by a woman at the station to avoid the man because he took her somewhere where she was assaulted. If you cannot easily find information online about the person of alleged business, do not trust them, Estelle said. If someone is approached by a person who says they are being trafficked, Estelle said safety should be the number one priority. Call 911 and get as much information about the person as possible in case they run away. Do not bring the person to your home, she said. Traffickers will sometimes use this tactic to follow a target home. If you must drive them somewhere, go straight to a police station, she said.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline can be contacted by calling 1-888-373-7888, TTY: 711, texting “BEFREE” 233733, emailing help@humantraffickinghotline.org, or using the web chat or online reporting through its website, humantraffickinghotline.org.
and Tourism hosted at the MassMutual Center in March of 2025. Berry stated that YPS of Greater Springfield played a key role in White Lion’s infancy.
“We had tremendous support from YPS,” he said, “and they really helped to shape and launch our brand. Though the faces and decision makers have changed over the years, we always have and always will remain loyal to the organization and the difference it makes in our region.”
Attendees can look forward to beverage specials on the day of the event. Register yourself and your team at SpringfieldYPS.com today and raise a glass to the beginning of summer and the start of new professional connections.
School Committee chooses new Gerena site
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — German Gerena Community School
will stay in the North End. The Springfield School Committee voted unanimously to locate the new Gerena at 495 Chestnut St., a mile from the existing site at 200 Birnie Ave. But School Committee member Rosa Valentin said the outreach ahead of the vote left much room for improvement.
Superintendent Sonia Dinnall said the new Gerena School will be a “state-of-the-art” learning center, and the existing site will not accommodate that goal. The location of the 1974 building has never been ideal.
Donna DiNisco, owner of the architecture firm on the project, DiNisco Design, said the existing Gerena is “sandwiched” between Interstate 91 and the railroad tracks. A tunnel runs under the highway to connect the school to residential streets in the North End.
Locating the new school on the corner of Chestnut and Prospect streets was the most cost-effective option and will allow Gerena to remain operational throughout construction with no disruption. As currently envisioned, the three-floor building will be L-shaped and situated on the edge of the site, so that two sides of the building run along Chestnut and Prospect streets.
The location was once the site of the now-razed Chestnut Middle School. School
Committee member LaTonia Monroe Naylor said the people at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral on Prospect Street will be pleased to have a school there again, instead of a vacant lot.
Mayor and School Committee Chair Domenic Sarno said he had pledged to keep the school in the North End, but it was difficult to find a location. “If we don’t go with this site, the school’s out of the North End,” he warned the School Committee.
Valentin reported to her colleagues that she attended an outreach meeting at Gerena, but only one member of the community was there. Further, she said there were no translation services for either Spanish speakers or the local Somali community. School Committee member Gumersindo Gomez, who was also at the meeting, said the one neighbor in attendance was concerned about traffic. A student at the meeting wanted to know if the community will still have access to the school for student performances.
“It’s not just us sitting here making the decision,” Valentin said, adding that she was uncomfortable voting without hearing from the neighbors.
Sarno said he did not want to delay the vote and risk losing the project’s place in the Massachusetts School Committee’s pipeline. The MSBA is a semi-governmental entity that reimburses municipalities for a portion of costs associated with building or repairing
school buildings. Springfield is reimbursed for 80% of eligible costs.
DiNisco said it is important to take the community into consideration. She said flyers were sent out in English and Spanish before the meeting. Gomez said the people in the North End are not receiving information on the school from the New North Neighborhood Council. “No one is talking about it,” he said.
School Committee member Denise Hurst, whose child attends Gerena, acknowledged Valentin and Gomez’s concerns. She recognized that Valentin had been trying to raise the communication issue at a previous meeting. However, she said she does not want the project to stall, and said people will be more upset if the school leaves the North End than if it is sited on Chestnut Street.
School Committee member Ayanna Crawford said the committee must be intentional about communication moving forward and the committee brainstormed ways to communicate with North End residents, including advertising in El Pueblo Latino and on the Spanish language radio station, and reaching out through contacts in the Somali community. Gomez suggested not hosting it at Gerena, because many of the student body at the magnet school do not live nearby.
Monroe Naylor assured people that conversations about community outreach had been going on behind the scenes since January. She acknowl-
edged that the plan did not work and said, “We can do better.”
Hurst broached the subject of changing boundaries for school assignments, as well as children who are currently bused that may need to walk to the new school. Assistant Superintendent Jose Escribano said there will be community outreach well before the school is built.
About 86 students who live near 495 Chestnut St. and attend Boland Elementary School will be moved into the new Gerena catchment area. Similarly, 144 students in the area who attend Lincoln Elementary School will be moved to Gerena.
On the other hand, 97 students who attend Gerena now will be moved to Lincoln under the new catchment boundaries. Forty-seven students at White Street School will be moving to Lincoln. These adjustments will allow the various schools to maintain their enrollment levels.
Escribano said the students who currently walk to Lincoln or Boland elementary schools will be able to walk to the new school. Those who were bused to White Street School will be bused to Gerena. Gerena’s existing student population is less than 600 students. With the boundary changes and the ability to invite an estimated 123 citywide students to attend the magnet school, the new building will accommodate 854 students.
The new Gerena is scheduled to open in 2030.
Operations Director: Curtis Panlilio
Executive Editor: Chris Maza
Managing Editors: Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre
Staff Writers: Sarah Heinonen, Deb Gardner, Amy Porter, Trent 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
Sales Support: Carolyn Napolitan
Financial Department: Nancy Banning
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College is proud to announce that 169 HCC students have been accepted for membership into the Alpha Xi Omega chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa national honor society for 2026. Students are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa when they have completed 15 college credits while maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
HCC’s 2026 inductees were recognized during a campus celebration on May 7. Indian Orchard Shanice Linnehan.
Springfield Suzette Appiah, Kelsey Babineau, Joshua Barcomb, Acianna Bethea, Iliana Caban, Naylani Collazo-Cartagena, Aleisha Correa Gomez, Veronica Dos Reis Paulino, Joan Doucette, Ana Estien, Renata Fabelo, Wilma Ferrer, Mia Figueroa,
inic Garcia-Gonzalez, Isabelle Garutti, Jewlette Henry, Zephaniah Langley, Aishea Lewis, Aidyl Melendez, Camrin Meyer, Matthew Moran, Ilayshia Ne
gron, Tiffany Richardson, Alba Rios Olmedo, J-Ivan Rodriguez, Yaritza Ruiz, Naileah Soler.
Dom -
A slide showing the location of the future Gerena School in relation to its existing site.
Photo credit: DiNisco Design/SKANSKA
Elected officials fight Pine Point post office closure
By Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — For residents of the Pine Point neighborhood, particularly those who do not drive, being able to walk to Gateway Hardware to mail packages, buy stamps and send priority mail is “critical,” said state Rep. Bud Williams, whose legislative district includes the business. But if the United States Postal Service has its way, postal services at the business will end on June 25.
USPS Strategic Communications Specialist Judy K. Ferriera explained that USPS contracts with independent retailers to operate “contract postal units” to offer supplementary access to postal services.
“Under CPU contract terms, the Postal Service and CPU operators agree that either party can terminate a contract upon giving 120 days’ notice. We have exercised our right to do so in some cases where nearby post offices, which are operated by the Postal Service, are available to serve the community directly,” Ferriera said.
But an April 2026 article by Debby Szeredy in American Postal Worker Magazine said USPS is violating federal law because it is shuttering post offices “without providing affected
communities with their right to a public review period to review documents, attend hearings and record comments, as well as their right to appeal.”
Ferriera said, “In the case of Gateway Hardware at 150 Boston Rd., Springfield, MA 01109, USPS determined that nearby Post Offices are available to serve the community. The closest USPS-operated retail facility to Gateway Hardware is the Mason Square Post Office, which is 1.7 miles away at 914 State St. Other options may be found by visiting USPS Postal Locator.”
However, Williams and community residents said it is not that simple to go to another branch. “The average, everyday person, they need this. Places they can walk to without getting on the bus,” Williams said.
“This is not just a post office. It’s part of the neighborhood. A lot of people don’t understand how the neighborhood is impacted. We’re going to fight,” said Ward 4 City Councilor Malo Brown, who is also Williams’s legislative aide.
“Gateway’s been like an institution,” said Mayor Domenic Sarno. “This is a hardworking, blue-collar area.” He added that Gateway is a “well-respected” business that is “woven into the fabric of Pine Point.”
Williams said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey are advocating for the continuation of the Gateway’s partnership with USPS. Markey’s district aide, Jesse Lederman, delivered remarks on the senator’s behalf, saying, “Efforts to close the Pine Point contract postal unit is a part of a broader and alarming trend by USPS leadership that degrades and threatens services throughout the commonwealth and the nation.”
Since Jan. 21, 2025, more than
35 post offices have been closed, including some that have been operating since the 1800s. However, post office closures are not unique to this presidential administration. Closures over the previous four years averaged more than 43 per year. In fact, post offices have been closing in large numbers since the 1960s.
Lederman continued Markey’s comments, saying, “Access to postal services is essential, including those that rely upon USPS to receive life-saving prescription medication, conduct business and
carry out important correspondence.” Lederman also quoted Markey as saying the Massachusetts delegation is investigating other incidents of USPS closing post offices “in the communities that need access the most.” Pine Point resident Jeanette Wilhite said she relies on the post office at Gateway Hardware because she trusts that no one will tamper with it. “You can’t put it in the little blue box because people will rob it,” Wilhite said about
See PINE POINT on page 5
Monson Savings supports YWCA’s ‘Shifting the Paradigm’ campaign
SPRINGFIELD — Monson Savings Bank is proud to announce its support of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts through its transformative “Shifting the Paradigm: Empowering Women & Children, Empowers the Next Generation” campaign — a comprehensive $7.5 million capital initiative dedicated to sustaining and expanding critical services for women, children and families across the region. As a bank consistently dedicated to serving the
needs of local communities, Monson Savings Bank committed to a $100,000 contribution.
The campaign aims to secure the long-term future of the YWCA, which has served Western Massachusetts for nearly 160 years by providing vital programs such as domestic violence shelter and advocacy, sexual assault counseling, youth education, housing support, and a 24/7 confidential crisis hotline that assists more than 6,500 individuals an-
nually. The organization reaches more than 12,000 people each year, offering not just immediate support, but pathways toward healing, independence and longterm stability.
Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty is deeply engaged in this mission, serving as co-chair of the campaign as well as a member of the YWCA’s Finance Committee.
“At Monson Savings Bank, we believe that strong communities
are built when people are supported, empowered, and given the opportunity to thrive,” said Moriarty. “The YWCA of Western Massachusetts does extraordinary work — providing not just safety but hope and a path forward for individuals and families facing unimaginable challenges. It is an honor to help lead this campaign and to stand alongside an organization that so powerfully aligns with our mission of strengthening lives and communities.”
The Shifting the Paradigm campaign will invest in both immediate needs and long-term sustainability, including expanding programs for children and teens impacted by trauma, eliminating waitlists for critical services and renovating essential shelter and housing facilities to ensure safe, dignified environments for those seeking refuge.
Elizabeth G. Dineen, chief executive officer of the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, expressed gratitude for the bank’s leadership and community commitment.
“Monson Savings Bank exemplifies what it means to be a true community partner,” said Dineen.
“Their support goes beyond fi-
nancial contribution — it reflects a shared belief that every individual deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to build a better future. With champions like Dan and the entire Monson Savings Bank team by our side, we are not only sustaining vital services — we are redefining what is possible for the women, children, and families we serve.”
This partnership reflects Monson Savings Bank’s longstanding commitment to community impact — rooted in its founding mission to empower individuals through financial opportunity and strengthened through ongoing investments in organizations that foster equity, resilience and growth.
By supporting the YWCA’s vision of a region free from violence and full of opportunity, Monson Savings Bank continues to live out its promise: where people save, businesses prosper and communities benefit.
To support the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, visit: ywworks.org/give/
To learn more about Monson Savings Bank and its team, visitmonsonsavings.bank.
President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently presented Monson Savings Bank’s $100,000 commitment to YWCA of Western Massachusetts Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth G. Dineen and VP of Communications & Development Tiera Wright in support of their vital Shifting the Paradigm Campaign.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
State Rep. Bud Williams speaks about the potential end of the post office contract at Gateway Hardware. He is surrounded by Mayor Domenic Sarno, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey’s District Aide Jesse Lederman, School Committee member Barbara Gresham, Pine Point’s Jeanette Wilhite, Williams’s Legislative Aide and City Councilor Malo Brown, Gateway owner Thomas McCarthy, state Rep. Orlando Ramo’s Chief of Staff and School Committee member Ayanna Crawford.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
Adams Park receives accessible upgrades, expanded amenities
Sarah Heinonen sheinonen@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — State Rep. Bud Williams stood in Adams Park on a sunny day and looked around. “What an oasis,” he said of the expanse of grass, refinished basketball court and updated playground. “The parks in this city are second to none in the country.” He remarked that people living in urban areas may not be able to readily visit the zoo or Six Flags, but they can bring their family to the park.
Mayor Domenic Sarno said the city has invested more than $100 million in the parks. Funding for the $675,000 Adams Park project included $550,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and $125,000 from Community Development Block Grants.
Upgrades to the 2.28-acre park include a small parking area off Berlin Street, inclusive playground equipment with a rubber surface underneath, renovation of the basketball court, improvements to the pavilion and a 6-foot wide asphalt walking path around the park’s perimeter. The city also planted new trees and installed park benches and accessible picnic tables.
The city also installed trash receptacles, and each of the speakers urged residents to maintain the condition of the park. Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Executive Director Tom Ashe said the city’s parks “look great” because crews from his department attend to them every day. Addressing the residents who use the park, Williams said, “Remember to keep it clean and protect the infrastructure.”
Reflecting on the park’s previous condition, Pernese Morris of the Upper Hill Residents Council said, “It wasn’t a park for kids.” She said it was not clean and people loitered. “We have a lot of young kids who need a place to play,” she said, adding that she is excited to bring her 9-month-old grandchild to the park.
Above, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Executive Director Tom Ashe and Pernese Morris of the Old Hill Citizens Council listen while state Rep. Bud Williams speaks at the grand reopening of Adams Park on Williams Road in Springfield. At right, State Rep. Bud Williams, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management Executive Director Tom Ashe and Pernese Morris of the Upper Hill Residents Council cut the ribbon to reopen Adams Park.
Corey Brown, a DPW employee, grew up on nearby Norfolk Street and used the park when he was young. “This park looks a lot different,” he said. “It’s good to see a positive change in the neighborhood.” He said all that is missing from the park is a restroom. He remarked, “When they get out of school, this place will be full of kids.”
Judge
Reminder Publishing photos by Sarah Heinonen
son, not just the badge.”
back it with data.”
Despite the progress that has been made, Lewis said the trauma remains. “It’s going to take some time. We began that piece, that therapeutic alliance, that relationship. So, from there, now we can begin to have less fear. We can now open up. We can now be a little more transparent than we were, because now we’re getting to know the per-
Pine Point
Continued from page 4
Continued from page 1 the USPS mailboxes commonly found on sidewalks.
Gateway owner Thomas McCarthy said Wilhite is not alone in trusting Gateway Hardware because it is officially connected to USPS. “It’s so important to individuals that come in here that they left [their mail] with a post office partner,” he said.
When asked how much income Gateway Hardware would
Reflecting on the challenges the department had to overcome, Beliveau said the department did not have a use-of-force problem, but it was unable to back that up with data. “Anecdotally, we knew people weren’t running around getting clobbered all the time, but it wasn’t until we had a data set, where we could actually do that and have that clear articulation. Yeah, we had some issues with reporting. It wasn’t that things weren’t being reported, it was pathways for reports.” He said the reports
lose if it were no longer able to offer postal services, McCarthy could not give an exact figure but said he added postal services to the business to drive traffic. McCarthy said that having the post office draws people from the surrounding neighborhoods, who then buy hockey gear and sporting supplies, or have keys made.
Referring to the hardware store, Wilhite said, “I come up here and get my blades sharpened for my lawnmower, and I bring my mail here. Please keep it open, whatever it takes.”
were all handwritten, leading to a chaotic tracking system. “So, now have a synchronous system that allows all of that to be captured,” he said.
“Everything came about at the right time. And I think there has always been a great story to be told within the SPD, but it was a matter of us being able to say it and say it and do it with support and articulation,” said Beliveau. He said that the department’s incidents of force had been trending downward for a few years before the consent decree. “But it wasn’t solidified. We couldn’t
Akers said, “I think it was better that we did change, but it did come with collateral damage where officers were afraid to do anything. We did have to change it because it wasn’t up to par, but officers became hesitant to do things, which usually leads to injuries ... they don’t want to put their hands on people, even if it’s justified, because they always felt that big brother was looking over us.”
He continued, “I think that if we were going to go about it and recognize that it was going
to happen in advance, then we probably would have done it a little bit differently.” He pointed out that 200 of the city’s more than 500 officers have been onboarded since the consent decree took effect. “This is all they know,” Akers said. “Now, we can continue what we’ve been doing and we’re a different type of department. When you look at it, the big picture was the right thing to do. The city’s changing, the state’s changing, the country’s changing, the world’s changing.”
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.
HOLYOKE
CHICOPEE
Corinne C. Fecteau
Jeannine M. Martell
Jacqueline M. Mashia
Sharyn Anne Riley
Albert W. Ruel
Barbara M. Skiba
Michael J. Soja Jr. EAST LONGMEADOW
Maureen T. Ferriter
Joseph Thomas Gorman
Sally A. Gozzi
Douglas P. Howie
Shirley Eleanor LaPolice
Larry F. Mathisen
Joan B. Pallotta
Norman David Raby
HAMPDEN
Edith May Beal
Barbara A. Gaughan
Joanne M. Kraus
James E. Pease Jr. Dorothy Ann Pinette LONGMEADOW Diane “Dee” Freedman
Donald Clarke Hutchins
Kenneth Norman Kinsley
LUDLOW
Ana Maria Goncalves
SOUTH HADLEY Karen Adams
James W. Armstrong Jr.
SPRINGFIELD
Louise Julia Baldini
Jeanne Blanchet
Deborah Lisa Johnson
Barbara J. Cowdrey
Christopher P. Gallagher Jr.
Joseph I. Gumlaw
Pamela S. Hood
Lauriana Lavallee (Lalli)
Joseph Lucerino
Thomas J. Manning Jr.
Rosemarie C. Morrissey
Sr. Judith O’Connell Ssj
John F. Russell (Roscoe)
Peter J. Salier
George E. Sampson
Ronald Smith WILBRAHAM
Helen Ham
Jeffrey W. Hulbert
Beverly Ann Presz
Vaughn F. Rist
Marjorie H. Weeks conversations.”
LACROSSE
The Pope Francis Preparatory School girl’s Lacrosse team traveled to East Longmeadow on May 1, and were defeated 17-8.
Alexandra Soja sprints ahead in transition.
Lila Kowalski keeps her eyes on the ball on defense.
Avery Savage makes the pass from her goalie position.
Ava Moltenbrey gets open for the pass.
Eden Murray attacks with the ball on offense.
#3 Eden Murray and #15 Ava Moltenbrey celebrate after the goal.
Bridget LePage blocks the passing lane on defense.
Keighley Gworek moves it out of the defensive zone on the turnover.
Adalyn Murray smiles as she gets in position in the midfield.
#9 Nolan Craven shoots over the defender for the goal.
Piper Martins looks to make a pass on the sideline.
DINING ENTERTAINMENT
Paradise City Arts Festival returns for 31st year later this month
By Trent Levakis tlevakis@thereminder.com
NORTHAMPTON — The nation’s premier destination for lovers of the handmade and high-end is once again gracing the region over Memorial Day weekend. Paradise City Arts Festival will return to the Three County Fairgrounds at the end of this month for another three-day stretch that celebrates creativity in multiple facets.
The festival, which runs from May 23-25, will feature 200plus world-class artists and makers traveling from every corner of the country to showcase their craft. The premier showcase features contemporary craft and fine art, including handmade home décor, sculpture, fashion, jewelry and more.
“Jeff and Linda Post originally founded the show in 1995, and we have been going in Northampton as well as across New England, Pennsylvania, Florida. They launched shows all over the east coast,” Show Director Mariah Swanson told Reminder Publishing. “What was so innovative about this particular kind of art fair is it put fine craft on the same pedestal that fine art was being viewed from at that point, so it’s taking the best of the best from around the country across all these different kinds of mediums. It’s fine art and photography, but it’s also ceramics, it’s mixed media, it’s sculpture, it’s wearables, it’s jewelry, and this is an opportunity to see 200 artists who are just the best at what they do at this premium kind of quality. You get to meet the artists and hear their stories, learn about their process, and just be face-to-face, which is becoming just as important as it ever was, especially in this digital era, so it’s really celebrating the craft of the human hand.”
Swanson said that this year feels particularly electric because there are more new faces. The weekend show is designed to be a full-scale cultural affair, and whether you are a serious collector or a family looking for a memorable afternoon, there is a rhythm to the weekend that invites everyone to stay and play.
“We’re in this really kind of unique position, similar to how
music has been so successful in Northampton, where we seem to be in this smaller community in Western Massachusetts but it’s able to attract people from New York, from Boston, an incredible amount of very high cultural intellectuals who want to be able to collect and build on their collections but aren’t necessarily going to be in one of these large economic hubs,” added Swanson. “It’s just a really beautiful, quaint opportunity to be in this area of the Pioneer Valley and also have exposure to these beautiful hotels, music venues, great restaurants, and where you can make a whole weekend out of it. But it’s really this great destination you can come to for the arts.”
The sensory experience doesn’t just stop at the easel, as nearly a dozen local restaurants and food trucks will be on-site, and the entire festival weekend will feature jazz, blues and folk music from the region’s best bands. On opening night, the festival will feature a headline performance by the in-
die-pop luminaries Winterpills.
The festival is open each day at 10 a.m. and closes on Saturday at 9 p.m., Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at 4 p.m. On Saturday, artists and makers close at 6 p.m., and then the concert begins. Local food and the beer garden will remain open until 8 p.m.
Tickets are $14 in advance, $16 at the gate, and those who are 15 and under can enter for free. Advance tickets can be purchased at festivals.paradisecityarts.com/ shows/northampton-may-show.
New to this year’s festival weekend is the debut of the Emerging Artist Collective, a brand-new initiative dedicated to fostering the next generation of talent. The collective will allow up to three emerging artists to share a booth and gain exposure during the weekend.
“It’ll be three artists per space and that’s been juried and curated at the same level, and it’s an opportunity to get their foot in the door, get in front of the Paradise City Arts audience and cultivate their career, and also an opportunity for
the public to be able to see these incredible emerging artists and get some new faces,” added Swanson.
Attendees are also encouraged to catch the live demonstrations during the weekend like Art in Action, where audiences can watch raw materials transform into masterpieces across multiple mediums. Additionally, attendees can participate in a creative activity called Crafting with Color, which is designed for the whole family.
The Silent Art Auction is also returning this year to again benefit the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. This organization provides free English classes for immigrants and refugees from around the world as they build new lives for themselves and their families.
An array of donations by Paradise City Arts exhibitors will be available for open bidding each day at the Silent Auction tables, with 100% of proceeds directly supporting International Language Institute of Massachusetts programming.
“Their work is more important
than ever right now and really directly impacts anyone who’s relocating to the area trying to grow their life and offer language classes,” Swanson said. Swanson shared that the event is beloved in the community because of the showcase and the communal support for the festival. She said that this festival embodies the passions of each artist and oftentimes serves as their livelihood.
“We want to make it feel welcoming and diverse so that they [artists] feel supported because there’s an incredible amount of talent out there, but they don’t always feel like they have access to these kinds of platforms, and it’s very, very different than selling online,” added Swanson. “We have lots of great new ways of exposing their work and meeting buyers through social media and online, but nothing beats face-to-face because it allows them to get in-the-moment feedback on their work. It’s really valuable in terms of how they continue to choose to make their work and grow their career.”
Academy to stage Legally Blonde musical
NORTHAMPTON — The Academy of Music Theatre is thrilled to announce its upcoming Academy Youth Production, “Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.”, on Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30, at 7 p.m. Based on the hit film and the 2007 Broadway musical by the same name, “Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.”, features young actors ages 12-17.
This fun and upbeat musical follows the adventures of a sorority girl named Elle Woods who tries to win her ex-boyfriend back by earning a Harvard law degree.
Once at school, she is challenged by her peers, professors and her ex, but with the help of some new friends, Elle realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world.
“Legally Blonde The Musical Jr.”, is co-directed by Academy
Education Director Kyle Lawrence and Academy Associate
Education Director Zazie Tobey; music direction is provided by Lauren Fleit and stage management is provided by Madison VanDeurzen. Tickets are available at aomtheatre.com or by calling the box office at 413-584-9032.
Ticket prices range from $15.16 to $23.95, including all fees.
Academy Youth Productions invites young actors to embark on a journey of artistic expression, self-confidence and teamwork.
Since 2011, the Academy has been a beacon of creativity, educating school-aged students in theater, music and dance, and fostering a love for the arts in the Northampton community.
Legally Blonde The Musical Jr., music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin.
by
Based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. Legally Blonde The Musical Jr., is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. The Academy of Music Theatre’s 2025-26 season is supported in part through the generosity of Hilltown Families, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, O’Connell Development Group, Berkshire Brewing Company, Thornes Marketplace, The Northampton Collection, Whalen Insurance, Northampton Cooperative Bank, Greenfield Savings Bank, Florence Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative and Select Equity Group Foundation.
Book
Heather Hach.
A look around last year’s Paradise City Arts Festival.
Photo credit: Paradise City Arts/ Lynne Graves Photography
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