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Springfield, MA

CT Cities Fall In St. Patrick's Day Celebration Rankings: See Full List CT Cities Fall In St. Patrick's Day Celebration Rankings: See Full List
CT Cities Fall In St. Patrick's Day Celebration Rankings: See Full List Every year, some cities feel the luck of the Irish a little more than others. WalletHub released its 2026 list of Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations on Wednesday, March 11. The study ranked 200 US cities based on holiday traditions, Irish pubs and restaurants per capita, affordability, safety, accessibility, and even the weather forecast. WalletHub said Americans are expected to spend about $7 billion on St. Patrick's Day in 2026. "St. Patrick's Day celebrates the Irish, but it's become a beloved cultural holiday for millions of Americans regardless of their ancestry," said Wal…
High-Profile Owner Of Popular Brunch Chain Place 2 Be Accused of $10K Bad Check Scheme High-Profile Owner Of Popular Brunch Chain Place 2 Be Accused of $10K Bad Check Scheme
High-Profile Owner Of Popular Brunch Chain Place 2 Be Accused of $10K Bad Check Scheme The owner of the popular brunch chain The Place 2 Be has been arrested on a felony larceny charge after police said she used bad checks to buy more than $10,000 in restaurant equipment. Gjinovefa “Gina” Luari, 33, was taken into custody and charged with issuing a bad check and second-degree larceny. East Hartford police said Luari purchased $10,821.66 worth of equipment from Restaurant Equipment Paradise in East Hartford with checks tied to closed accounts. Both checks bounced. According to an arrest warrant obtained by WTNH, Richard Singer, the manager of Restaurant Equipment Paradise, to…
Plan b Closing 3 Restaurants Soon In 'Strategic Realignment' Plan b Closing 3 Restaurants Soon In 'Strategic Realignment'
Plan b Closing 3 Restaurants Soon In 'Strategic Realignment' Two longtime Plan b restaurants in Connecticut — Hartford and West Hartford — will shut down at the end of the month, marking the third closure of a Connecticut restaurant for the chain this year.  The company announced that both Connecticut locations, along with its Springfield, Massachusetts, restaurant, will close as part of what leaders call a “strategic realignment," a press release said. “This decision reflects a balance between fiscal responsibility and staying true to the experience our guests and teams deserve," said founder and CEO Allie J. Gamble in the statement. “ Plan b i…
CT Funeral Home Owner Launches Campaign To Help Victims Of Alleged $70K Funeral Scam CT Funeral Home Owner Launches Campaign To Help Victims Of Alleged $70K Funeral Scam
CT Funeral Home Owner Launches Campaign To Help Victims Of Alleged $70K Funeral Scam A group is working to help victims of an alleged Connecticut funeral scam involving a former funeral home owner accused of embezzling more than $70,000 from funds meant for burials and other services, to allegedly fuel his gambling habit. Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was arrested Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police. Dozens of people had given Pietras money intended for escrow accounts, which would have been available to cover funeral costs when needed, police said. They later learned the money was never deposited, and now they mu…
Food Sold At Big Y Linked To Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak, FDA Says Food Sold At Big Y Linked To Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak, FDA Says
Food Sold At Big Y Linked To Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak, FDA Says Big Y Foods has recalled several types of sandwiches and wraps at more than two dozen stores as part of a nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers. The recall covers any small or large sub, 30-inch Super Sub, wrap, or panini made fresh at the deli counter, the Food and Drug Administration said. The sandwiches weren't prepackaged and were made on Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21. Big Y said the sliced cucumbers came from Smartcuts, which was affected by Bedner Growers' salmonella outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously said the cucumbers …
Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Store Closures, Including 4 CT Locations Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Store Closures, Including 4 CT Locations
Walgreens Announces Dozens Of Upcoming Store Closures, Including 4 CT Locations Walgreens announced this past fall that it will close about 1,200 stores over three years amid a decline in prescription drug payments and a rise in online competition. About 500 of those closures will be in 2025. Now, the locations of some of the specific stores slated to go out of business are emerging and being posted at walgreens.com. Connecticut East Hartford, 922 Silver Lane: Permanently closing on Tuesday, May 20. East Haven, 157 Main Street: Permanently closing on Thursday, May 22. New Britain, 1350 Stanley Street: Permanently closing on Monday, May 19. New Milford, 173 Danbury R…
Coventry Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police Coventry Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police
Coventry Funeral Home Owner Stole $71K From Clients to Fund Gambling, Shopping Sprees: Police A Connecticut funeral home owner was arrested this week after police said he embezzled $71,000 from mentally and physically disabled clients, using the funds to gamble, shop, and dine out. Philip Pietras, 51, of Coventry, was taken into custody on Sunday, April 6, and charged with first-degree larceny, according to Connecticut State Police. Police began investigating Pietras in October 2024 after a financial agency that manages funds for disabled adults reported discrepancies in payments sent to one of Pietras’ funeral homes. Pietras owns four funeral homes, including Bassinger and Do…
UConn, WNBA Legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore Lead 2025 Basketball Hall Of Fame Class UConn, WNBA Legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore Lead 2025 Basketball Hall Of Fame Class
UConn, WNBA Legends Sue Bird, Maya Moore Lead 2025 Basketball Hall Of Fame Class The 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame class is stacked with stars — and packed with local roots. Baltimore native and Olympic superstar Carmelo Anthony is heading to the Hall of Fame, alongside fellow NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, UConn legends Sue Bird and Maya Moore, as well as the entire 2008 “Redeem Team,” the gold medal-winning Olympic squad that put USA Basketball back on top. The star-studded class was announced Saturday, April 5, and also includes Rockville Centre’s own Billy Donovan — a two-time NCAA champion turned NBA coach — and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford.  Anthony, who …
Ex-Somers High Coach Accused Of Assaulting Student Now Mass Police Officer Suspended Ex-Somers High Coach Accused Of Assaulting Student Now Mass Police Officer Suspended
Ex-Somers High Coach Accused Of Assaulting Student Now Mass Police Officer Suspended A police officer in Massachusetts has been suspended after a teenage student at a Connecticut High School accused them of sexual assault, a news report said.  Justin Perez, 27, who was an assistant coach at Somers High School last year, was charged this week with abusing his leadership position and sending a then 15-year-old girl nude photos and sexually suggestive texts, Connecticut authorities said.  Original Report: Ex-Somers High Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Springfield Police Supt. Larry Akers said he suspended Perez five days without pay, the longest punis…
Ex-Somers High Coach Sent Student Nude Photos, Inappropriately Touched Them: Cops Ex-Somers High Coach Sent Student Nude Photos, Inappropriately Touched Them: Cops
Ex-Somers High Coach Sent Student Nude Photos, Inappropriately Touched Them: Cops Update: The former Somers High School assistant coach, now a Springfield police officer, has been suspended from the force after his arrest this week. Click here for more information.  Original: A 27-year-old former assistant coach at a Connecticut high school was arrested Tuesday, April 1, after a student told police he had inappropriately touched her, sent nude photos on social media, and tried to lure her into his hotel room during a tournament, authorities said. Justin Perez, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was charged with second-degree sexual assault, criminal attempt at second-de…
CT Community Named Hottest Real Estate Market In The Nation; 2 Others Make Top 20 CT Community Named Hottest Real Estate Market In The Nation; 2 Others Make Top 20
CT Community Named Hottest Real Estate Market In The Nation; 2 Others Make Top 20 With home sales surging across the country, one Connecticut city was named the nation's hottest housing market once again, according to a new report. Two others made the top 20.  Hartford earned the top spot for February 2025 after seeing a jump in interest from buyers looking to move there, Realtor.com reported. The site credited the historic city's strong job market and high-quality schools as key factors driving the renewed demand. The median price for a Hartford home hit $434,000 in February, rising 6.6 percent compared to last year, Realtor.com reported. Despite higher prices, lis…
CT Cities Fall Behind For St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, New Study Says: See The Full List CT Cities Fall Behind For St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, New Study Says: See The Full List
CT Cities Fall Behind For St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, New Study Says: See The Full List Every year, some Northeast and mid-Atlantic cities really feel the luck of the Irish more than others. St. Patrick's Day traditions vary widely along the East Coast. Some cities are steeped in Irish tradition with huge parades, historic pubs, and thriving Irish communities, while others lack massive celebrations. WalletHub released its 2025 list of Best Cities for St. Patrick's Day Celebrations on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The study ranked 200 US cities based on holiday traditions, Irish pubs per capita, affordability, safety, and even weather. WalletHub projects that Americans wi…
No Joke: Kevin Hart Cancels CT Show Week Before Planned Gig No Joke: Kevin Hart Cancels CT Show Week Before Planned Gig
No Joke: Kevin Hart Cancels CT Show Week Before Planned Gig Connecticut Kevin Hart fans hoping to catch his latest stand-up special are out of luck.  The comedian and actor was scheduled to perform at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport on Wednesday, March 12, but he abruptly canceled the show a week before the show. Ticketmaster announced the cancellation of the "Acting My Age" tour stop on its website Wednesday. The company did not provide a reason.  Ticket holders should receive refunds within two to three weeks, Ticketmaster said.  The Bridgeport show was added to the end of Hart's tour in January. It's unclear how many…
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says
Northeast Cities Among Most Diverse In US: Here's What A New Study Says The US population is rapidly diversifying, with cities in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic at the forefront, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2025 ranking of the nation's Most Diverse Cities on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Three Maryland communities topped the list of 501 locations, which were evaluated based on socioeconomic, cultural, economic, household, and religious diversity. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10.2 percent of Americans identified as multiracial in 2020, a sharp increase from just 2.9 percent in 2010. "The most diverse cities demonstrate diversity in many …
Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Blames GPS On CT Interstates: State Police Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Blames GPS On CT Interstates: State Police
Wrong-Way Drunk Driver Blames GPS On CT Interstates: State Police A Massachusetts woman was arrested after allegedly driving the wrong way on multiple highways before stopping on the shoulder of I-384, telling troopers she was confused by Connecticut’s roads and following her GPS. Nyasia Battle, 24, of Springfield, Massachusetts, faces multiple charges from the early Friday morning, Feb. 21, trek, Connecticut State Police said.  State police said multiple 911 callers reported a red Hyundai SUV traveling north in the southbound lanes of Route 5/15 before merging onto I-84 eastbound in the westbound lanes. Troopers responded but initially lost sight of…
2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast 2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast
2 Inches Of Snow Could Fall This Weekend Across CT: Here's Your Forecast A winter storm is poised to bring light to moderate snowfall to eastern New York, western Massachusetts, and parts of Connecticut from Friday morning, Dec. 20 through Saturday evening, Dec. 21, according to the National Weather Service. A Hazardous Weather Outlook has been issued for the region, warning of slippery travel conditions, particularly during the Friday evening commute. While snowfall amounts are expected to remain below advisory levels—less than 4 inches—hazardous road conditions are likely. Thursday will be partly sunny with a high near 39°F and northwest winds of 7 to 10 mph, …
Mom, Infant Son Gunned Down In CT Drive-By, Shooter Arrested In Puerto Rico: Police Mom, Infant Son Gunned Down In CT Drive-By, Shooter Arrested In Puerto Rico: Police
Mom, Infant Son Gunned Down In CT Drive-By, Shooter Arrested In Puerto Rico: Police A 23-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a young mother and her infant son in Connecticut was arrested in Puerto Rico, authorities announced. Lance Morales, the suspect in the drive-by shooting that killed 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, was taken into custody Saturday, Nov. 23, by the U.S. Marshals Violent Fugitive Task Force, the Marshal Service said.  He was found at a home in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, and is being held on a $3 million bond. The incident unfolded earlier this week when officers responded to Hartford Hospital after a vehicle arriv…
Man Raped Woman In Middle Of Birthday Party: Police Man Raped Woman In Middle Of Birthday Party: Police
Man Raped Woman In Middle Of Birthday Party: Police A 42-year-old Massachusetts man is accused of plying a woman with alcohol at a Connecticut party before he forcibly raped her in a hot tub during a friend's birthday party, authorities said.  Luis Alberto Elicier, of Springfield, Massachusetts, was charged with first-degree sexual assault and first-degree unlawful restraint, Connecticut State Police said.  Elicier was at a small gathering of friends at a Tolland home for a birthday party on Thursday, Sept. 26. During the festivities, witnesses said Elicier seemed to make advances at a 29-year-old Connecticut woman by playing her f…
2 CT Cities Named Most Expensive In Nation — It's Not Ones You Think 2 CT Cities Named Most Expensive In Nation — It's Not Ones You Think
2 CT Cities Named Most Expensive In Nation — It's Not Ones You Think For anyone looking for an affordable place to live, there are two places in Connecticut they may want to avoid, according to a new study.  Hartford ranks as the most expensive city in the United States with New Haven finishing in fourth, according to U.S. News & World Report. Joining them on the list are Los Angeles at No. 2, Miami at 3, and New York City at 5.  Nearby Boston is 9 with two other Massachusetts cities — Springfield and Worcester — also in the top 25.  Researchers looked at the average price of goods like groceries and transportation, along with r…
(UPDATE) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set (UPDATE) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set
(Update) 'Megan Will Be Greatly Missed': CT Teen Killed In Western Mass Crash ID'd; Funeral Set Update: A GoFundMe to help pay for Megan Davis' funeral has raised more than $20,000 as of Sunday, Aug. 4, surpassing its original goal.  More than 350 people have donated to the cause. Click here for more information on the campaign.  Original: A 17-year-old Connecticut girl who was killed in a Hampden County car crash earlier this week is being remembered for her bright smile that was only matched by her bright future.  Megan Davis, of Enfield, Connecticut, died on Sunday, July 28, after dying in a crash on North Blandford Road in Blandford, about 45 minutes west of S…
Weekend Wreck In Western Mass County Third Fatal In 3 Days Weekend Wreck In Western Mass County Third Fatal In 3 Days
Weekend Wreck In Western Mass County Third Fatal In 3 Days A 51-year-old man was killed in the third fatal wreck in the Western Massachusetts county in as many days, authorities said.  In Hampshire County, the Belchertown man was the only person in the vehicle when it crashed on Sunday, July 21, around 7:45 p.m. on Washington Street in Belchertown, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. Police are investigating what led to the wreck.  The man's name has not been released as authorities notify his family.  The crash was the third in Hampshire County over 72 hours.  Jose M. Soto, a 62-year-old Springf…
Springfield Man Guilty Of Double Murder In CT Sentenced To Life In Prison Springfield Man Guilty Of Double Murder In CT Sentenced To Life In Prison
Springfield Man Guilty Of Double Murder In CT Sentenced To Life In Prison A 25-year-old Massachusetts man who fatally shot a man in front of his pregnant girlfriend and their friend in Connecticut, in 2020 has been sentenced to life in prison, authorities said.  Gregory Crichlow, of Springfield, who was convicted in March of killing Gregory "Monte" Scott, Jr., age 24, and Jennifer Hicks, age 20, was sentenced on Thursday, June 27, the Connecticut Department of Justice said.  Police in Hartford County were called to the Buckland Hills commuter lot in the town of Manchester in the early morning of Aug. 2, 2020, to reports of a shooting. Investig…
Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass
Third Suspect Busted In Fatal I-391 Shooting In Western Mass Police have arrested a third person they say was involved in the fatal shooting of Guyton Winspeare on a stretch of I-391 in Holyoke two months ago, authorities said.  Miguel Dones, 21, of Springfield, is charged with murder and a slew of drug offenses after police found narcotics and an AR-15-style rifle in his car during a traffic stop, the Hampden District Attorney said.  He was being held on a $25,000 cash bail, but that could change after he is indicted on the murder charge on Monday, May 20, authorities said.  Dones is the third person police have connected to the…