Tag:

Southwick, MA

Southwick Man's Months-Long Neglect Led To Mother's Agonizing Death, DA Says Southwick Man's Months-Long Neglect Led To Mother's Agonizing Death, DA Says
Southwick Man's Months-Long Neglect Led To Mother's Agonizing Death, DA Says A Hampden County man has been charged with a "galling" crime after he left his ill mother in a bed for months without moving her, causing severe infections and illness that led to her death, authorities said.  David Reed, 59, of Southwick, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, a caretaker permitting serious bodily injury to an elderly or disabled person, abuse/neglect/mistreatment to an elderly or disabled person, the Hampden County District Attorney said. He was arraigned last week and was being held on a $25,000 bail. David Reed is accused of causing the death of his 79-yea…
Triple Fatal Plane Crash: Southwich Flight School Owner, Instructor ID'd Among Dead Triple Fatal Plane Crash: Southwich Flight School Owner, Instructor ID'd Among Dead
Triple Fatal Plane Crash: Southwich Flight School Owner, Instructor ID'd Among Dead Investigators have identified the three people killed in a Sunday, Jan. 14, plane crash in Franklin County as a student pilot, his instructor, and the owner of a flight school.  They are:  William Hampton, age 68, of Indian Orchard Chad Davidson, age 29, of Woodstock, Connecticut Fredrika Ballard, age 53, of Southwick Ballard owned Fly Lugu Flight School and Hampton was an instructor. Davidson was taking flying lessons, Massachusetts State Police said.  Related: No Survivors: Plane Crash In Western Mass According to flight tracker data, the twin-engine Beechcraft Baron 5…
Westfield Girl, 16, Missing; Police Ask For Help Westfield Girl, 16, Missing; Police Ask For Help
Westfield Girl, 16, Missing; Police Ask For Help Westfield police are asking for the public's help to find a 16-year-old girl who went missing several days ago.  Dakota Grenda was last seen early Wednesday, June 28, her family told investigators. She is described as five feet, six inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. Police believe she is in the Westfield/Southwick area.  Officers ask anyone with information about her disappearance to contact Westfield police at 413-562-5411.
'Beloved' Father, Computer Administrator From Springfield Suddenly Dies At 53 'Beloved' Father, Computer Administrator From Springfield Suddenly Dies At 53
'Beloved' Father, Computer Administrator From Springfield Suddenly Dies At 53 Momoh Kamara embodied what it meant to truly live life to the fullest. The 53-year-old, who was born in Freetown in Sierra Leone and lived in Springfield, was a beloved husband and father as well as a "respected computer/network administrator," a GoFundMe reads. Unfortunately, Momoh's life was suddenly cut short on Sunday, June 18, "leaving behind a void that will be felt by all who knew him," the campaign continues.  Momoh obtained a bachelor's degree in computer science from Westfield State University and went on to work at Granville Tolland Regional School in Southwick, accord…
Missing Woman Found Safe In Southwick After Family Feared The Worst Missing Woman Found Safe In Southwick After Family Feared The Worst
Missing Woman Found Safe In Southwick After Family Feared The Worst The search for a missing 32-year-old Southwick woman had a happy ending on Wednesday, June 21, after she disappeared a day earlier.  Katherine Korobkov's mother said she left her home around 3:30 p.m. to go on a long ride on her new bike, but she never returned.  Korobkov didn't take her cell phone, and she didn't return home or contact her family, which was very unusual, they told police.  They feared the worst.  Southwick police called in support from the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, who used a helicopter to search the Rail Trail area.  Thankfully, around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, …
Parking Bans In Effect For These Western Mass Towns Ahead Of Winter Weather Parking Bans In Effect For These Western Mass Towns Ahead Of Winter Weather
Parking Bans In Effect For These Western Mass Towns Ahead Of Winter Weather As heavy snows bear down on most of the Northeast Friday, March 3, several towns in western Massachusetts have implemented parking bans.  Related: Updated Snow Fall Predictions For The Northeast Here is a collection of some of those bans. Violators may have their vehicles towed and ticketed.  AGAWAM No parking is allowed from 12 a.m. Saturday, March 4 until 12 p.m. Saturday, March 4. AMHERST A parking ban on all town streets and lots begins at 12 a.m. Saturday and remains in effect until 7 a.m. However, parking is allowed in three areas.  The lower level of the parking …
Support Pours In For Family Of 4-Month-Old Killed In Southwick Crash Support Pours In For Family Of 4-Month-Old Killed In Southwick Crash
Support Pours In For Family Of 4-Month-Old Killed In Southwick Crash The GoFundMe to benefit the family of a 4-month-old girl who died when a tree fell on the car she was riding in on Friday, Feb. 3, has surpassed its goal in just a few days, authorities said.  On Tuesday, Feb. 7 the campaign had raised more than $26,000 and counting.  Alana Rae Bourbeau died after noon on Friday when high winds pushed over a tree in Hampden County along Route 57 (Feeding Hills Road) in Southwick and onto the car Bourbeau was riding in, Massachusetts State Police said.  Her 23-year-old aunt, from Litchfield County, Jannel Towle, of Winsted, was…
Falling Tree Kills Baby Riding In Car In Southwick: DA's Office Falling Tree Kills Baby Riding In Car In Southwick: DA's Office
Falling Tree Kills Baby Riding In Car In Southwick: DA's Office A infant was killed Friday afternoon, Feb. 3, when a falling tree crashed into the car they were riding in, authorities said. The incident happened just before noon along Route 57 (Feeding Hills Road) in Southwick, MA, Hamden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni said.  The driver, a 23-year-old woman from Winstead, CT, was rushed to an area hospital with serious injuries. Gulluni said the child was the woman's niece. A portion of Route 57 near Foster Road was shut down Friday afternoon as police cleared the scene. The investigation is ongoing. 
Man Charged With Manslaughter In Crash That Killed 60-Year-Old Chicopee Man, Police Say Man Charged With Manslaughter In Crash That Killed 60-Year-Old Chicopee Man, Police Say
Man Charged With Manslaughter In Crash That Killed 60-Year-Old Chicopee Man, Police Say A Western Massachusetts man was charged with manslaughter in a crash that killed a 60-year-old man in Connecticut last year. Hampden County resident Dominic Grassetti, age 25, of Southwick, turned himself in to police on Monday, Oct. 3, Connecticut State Police reported.  He was charged with second-degree manslaughter in the two-vehicle crash that killed Fernando Lebron, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, on I-91 in Enfield on Nov. 12, 2021, police said.  Police said the crash happened at about 12:40 a.m. near the Exit 48 off-ramp. A Scion xA, driven by Lebron, was northbound on t…
Agawam Man Dies After Falling From Cliff on Provin Mountain, Reports Say Agawam Man Dies After Falling From Cliff on Provin Mountain, Reports Say
Agawam Man Dies After Falling From Cliff on Provin Mountain, Reports Say A 20-year-old man from Agawam has died after calling from a 100-foot cliff in Southwick, multiple news outlets report. Southwick Police, Agawam Fire and Agawam Police all responded about a search of a person believed to be in a quarry on Provin Mountain around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, Western Mass News reports.  Police told the outlet the young man “was determined to have died due to injuries from a fall." At least a dozen emergency vehicles were reportedly on scene, WWLP reports.  The man's death remains under investigation. 
This Southwick Spot Knows How To Serve Pizza, Burgers & Brews This Southwick Spot Knows How To Serve Pizza, Burgers & Brews
This Southwick Spot Knows How To Serve Pizza, Burgers & Brews If you live anywhere in Western Massachusetts you probably already know about the Rail Trail Ale House and its brick-oven artisan pizzas, Angus burgers, and hand-cut fries. But just in case you don't here's a quick rundown of what you'll find when you visit this Hampden County hot spot which is a favorite with Southwick locals. The menu features a complete rundown of just about every type of pizza such as the buff chicken with house-made Buffalo sauce or the mushroom madness ( no explanation needed). But just in case you are picky, or can't find that right combination they will make it for…
COVID-19: New List Released Of Western Mass Zones At High Risk For Spread COVID-19: New List Released Of Western Mass Zones At High Risk For Spread
Covid-19: New List Released Of Western Mass Zones At High Risk For Spread More communities in Western Massachusetts are in the COVID-19 “red zone,” while nearly two dozen more have also seen an uptick in cases and have been placed into “yellow zones.” The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 health report on Thursday, April 8, highlighting the areas of the state that have seen an increase in new cases in relation to the area's population. Under the state’s new criteria, the Department of Public Health is taking population size into account when determining which are deemed “high-risk,” “medium-risk,” or “low-risk.” In the latest…
COVID-19: 11 Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Virus Spread COVID-19: 11 Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Virus Spread
Covid-19: 11 Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Virus Spread More communities in Western Massachusetts are in the COVID-19 “red zone,” while nearly two dozen more have also seen an uptick in cases and have been placed into “yellow zones.” The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 health report on Thursday, April 1, highlighting the areas of the state that have seen an increase in new cases in relation to the area's population. Under the state’s new criteria, the Department of Public Health is taking population size into account when determining which are deemed “high-risk,” “medium-risk,” or “low-risk.” In the latest…
COVID-19: New Regional Vaccination Sites Approved For Hampden County COVID-19: New Regional Vaccination Sites Approved For Hampden County
Covid-19: New Regional Vaccination Sites Approved For Hampden County New state-run COVID-19 vaccination sites have been approved in Western Massachusetts. The announcements were made on Friday, March 26. The Eastern States Exposition (Big E) in West Springfield will also serve the communities of Agawam, Granville, Southwick, Tolland, and Westfield, Representative Joseph Wagner announced that Chicopee in Hampden County has been approved for the state-run Covid-19 vaccination site. The site will also include the surrounding communities of South Hadley and Granby, Wagner said. The opening dates of the sites will be dependent upon the number of v…
COVID-19: These Five Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Spread, DPH Says COVID-19: These Five Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Spread, DPH Says
Covid-19: These Five Western Mass Communities At High Risk For Spread, DPH Says Five communities in western Massachusetts are in the COVID-19 “red zone,” while nearly two dozen more have also seen an uptick in cases and have been placed into “yellow zones.” The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 health report on Thursday, March 25, highlighting the areas of the state that have seen an increase in new cases in relation to the area's population. Under the state’s new criteria, the Department of Public Health is taking population size into account when determining which are deemed “high-risk,” “medium-risk,” or “low-risk.” In the lates…
COVID-19: Two Hampden County Communities Placed In Red Zone COVID-19: Two Hampden County Communities Placed In Red Zone
Covid-19: Two Hampden County Communities Placed In Red Zone Two communities in western Massachusetts are in the COVID-19 “red zone,” while nearly two dozen more have also seen an uptick in cases and have been placed into “yellow zones.” The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released its weekly COVID-19 health report on Thursday, March 18, highlighting the areas of the state that have seen an increase in new cases in relation to the area's population. Under the state’s new criteria, the Department of Public Health is taking population size into account when determining which are deemed “high-risk,” “medium-risk,” or “low-risk.” In the late…
COVID-19: Local Vaccine Appointments At Major Pharmacies, Grocers All Booked By 9 a.m. COVID-19: Local Vaccine Appointments At Major Pharmacies, Grocers All Booked By 9 a.m.
Covid-19: Local Vaccine Appointments At Major Pharmacies, Grocers All Booked By 9 a.m. CVS has expanded locations where people can get a COVID-19 vaccine, but as of 8:50 a.m. on Monday, March 8, appointments for the first doses were all taken. The expansion means that COVID-19 vaccines are available at more than 100 CVS pharmacies in Massachusetts including those in Worcester, West Springfield, Southwick, Sturbridge, Northampton, Leominster, Lanesborough, Holyoke, Greenfield, and Great Barrington. CVS was able to expand vaccination services due to the recent U.S. Federal Drug Administration’s emergency approval of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, which incre…
City Spends $8,000 Per Mile On Snow/Ice Removal - How Does Your Town's Spending Compare? City Spends $8,000 Per Mile On Snow/Ice Removal - How Does Your Town's Spending Compare?
City Spends $8,000 Per Mile On Snow/Ice Removal - How Does Your Town's Spending Compare? Snow plowing is among the most important services a city or town can provide in the winter - but it’s more of a priority in some places than others. In a review of snowplow/snow removal expenditures per community, differences in how much a town is willing to pay for the service quickly emerge. Among the 10 largest communities in Central and Western Massachusetts, it’s hard to beat Worcester. The city spent $8,530 per mile of city roadway on plowing services in 2019. The biggest city spending the least amount of money per mile to plow its streets is Chicopee - which spent $2,635 per mile i…
How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update
How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update Ice covered much of Central and Western Massachusetts Tuesday, Feb. 16, morning, creating dangerous road conditions, but few power outages. The ice is thickest in the Berkshires where 0.21-0.23 inches of ice has accumulated, according to the National Weather Service. In Springfield and Worcester, 0.5-0.6 inches of ice accumulated overnight. Northward, in Greenfield and Fitchburg, ice accumulation was between 0.17 and 0.21 inches. About 300 of Eversource's hundreds of thousands of customers lost power momentarily and sections of Westfield were also without power for about an hour st…
Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA
Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA When this Nor’easter is over, some communities in Central and Western Massachusetts are expected to be covered in more than 1 foot of snow. A Winter Storm Warning by the National Weather Service is in effect until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 7 to 15 inches and winds gusting as high as 45 mph. The communities that are expected to see the most snow are across the Worcester Hills and the east slopes of the Berkshires. The following are forecast snowfall totals including the smallest amount predicted, the most likely amount to fall…
Where Are The Hotspots? COVID-19 Town-By-Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County Where Are The Hotspots? COVID-19 Town-By-Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County
Where Are The Hotspots? Covid-19 Town-By-Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County Good news! The COVID-19 rate in most Hampden County cities and towns has gone down, according to the most recent information from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Hampden County now has a “green” community as well - a term for communities with a low risk for the spread of the virus - it’s Holland. Other Hampden County communities where the risk is low include Montgomery, Wales, Blanford, Granville, Tolland, and Russell. While the daily COVID-19 infection rate went down in most Hampden County communities, there are four that saw their rates rise: Agawam, Longmeadow, Montgomery…
City Pays $8,000 Per Mile For Snow/Ice Removal - See How Your Town's Plowing Budget Compares City Pays $8,000 Per Mile For Snow/Ice Removal - See How Your Town's Plowing Budget Compares
City Pays $8,000 Per Mile For Snow/Ice Removal - See How Your Town's Plowing Budget Compares Snow plowing is among the most important services a city or town can provide in the winter - but it’s more of a priority in some places than others. In a review of snowplow/snow removal expenditures per community, differences in how much a town is willing to pay for the service quickly emerge. Among the 10 largest communities in Central and Western Massachusetts, it’s hard to beat Worcester. The city spent $8,530 per mile of city roadway on plowing services in 2019. The biggest city spending the least amount of money per mile to plow its streets is Chicopee - which spent $2,635 per mile i…
COVID-19: Town-By-Town Rates And Trends, Hampden County - Dec. 18 COVID-19: Town-By-Town Rates And Trends, Hampden County - Dec. 18
Covid-19: Town-By-Town Rates And Trends, Hampden County - Dec. 18 Two communities in Hampden County lowered their COVID-19 incident rate and nearly a dozen are below the highest risk category - red, according to the most recent state data. On Thursday, Dec. 17, Massachusetts Public Health Department released weekly town-by-town datasets that include how many COVID-19 incidents there are per 100,000 residents - the incident rate. The communities where the rate went down are Southwick and Belchertown. HIGHEST Meanwhile, Springfield, Ludlow, Holyoke, Wilbraham, Chicopee, and West Springfield had the highest COVID-19 rates per 100,000 residents. The rates…
Local Overnight Snowfall Totals, Current Conditions For Thursday, Dec. 17 Local Overnight Snowfall Totals, Current Conditions For Thursday, Dec. 17
Local Overnight Snowfall Totals, Current Conditions For Thursday, Dec. 17 Overnight the winter storm dropped between 7 and 12 inches of snow on Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. As snow continues to fall, the National Weather Service provided overnight snowfall totals. At 7 a.m. here is how much snow had fallen in your area - Hartford, Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester counties: Hartford County Simsbury - 11 inches Bradley Airport - 10.9 inches Canton - 10.5 inches Manchester - 10 inches Hampden County Longmeadow - 12 inches Southwick - 10.3 inches Westfield - 9.3 inches East Longmeadow - 8.5 inches Monson - 8 inches Chicopee -7.5 inches Hampshi…
COVID-19: Two Hampden County Towns Come Off 'Red' List - Town-By-Town Rates And Trends COVID-19: Two Hampden County Towns Come Off 'Red' List - Town-By-Town Rates And Trends
Covid-19: Two Hampden County Towns Come Off 'Red' List - Town-By-Town Rates And Trends Only one new Hampden County town has been added to the state’s COVID-19 red list and two have come off of it, according to data released Thursday, Dec. 3. The communities that lowered their COVID-19 infection rate to the point that they were removed from a list of the state’s riskiest places are Belchertown and East Longmeadow. The town that was added to the red list is Palmer. There are now 36 Western and Central Massachusetts communities on the red list, including 9 cities and towns in Hampden County. Massachusetts's color-coded risk system has four levels. They are, from most to le…
COVID-19: 'Red' Communities More Than Double In Central, Western Mass - Local Rates And Trends COVID-19: 'Red' Communities More Than Double In Central, Western Mass - Local Rates And Trends
Covid-19: 'Red' Communities More Than Double In Central, Western Mass - Local Rates And Trends The number of COVID-19 “red” communities has more than doubled in Central and Western Massachusetts since last week, according to the most recent state data, Thursday, Nov. 19. Last week there were 9 Central and Western Massachusetts communities in the red. Now there are 21: Blackstone, Chicopee, Clinton, Douglas, Fitchburg Hampden, Holyoke, Lancaster, Leominster, Ludlow, Lunenburg, Milford, Northbridge, Southbridge, Southwick, Springfield, Sterling, Templeton, Uxbridge, West Springfield, Winchendon. To see local rates and trends, scroll to the end of the article. Among the red communitie…
Just 3: Trump Outraises Biden In Several Massachusetts Neighborhoods, Towns Just 3: Trump Outraises Biden In Several Massachusetts Neighborhoods, Towns
Just 3: Trump Outraises Biden In Several Massachusetts Neighborhoods, Towns Donald Trump received more presidential campaign donations than Joe Biden in just three Massachusetts zip codes, according to nationwide data compiled by the New York Times. The Times review of political donations during the presidential election showed that traditionally liberal Massachusetts is backing Democrat challenger Biden over Republican incumbent Trump in every corner except three zip codes: Southwick (01077), the Cherry Valley neighborhood in Leicester (01611), and Acushnet (02743), according to the Boston Globe. There are 536 zip codes in Massachusetts. Though Trump received mor…
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest
Is The Drought Over Yet? Southern Part Of State Drier Than The Rest The downpour that soaked the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29-30, deposited 1.5-2 inches of rain, but still, much of southern Massachusetts is experiencing extreme drought. According to state data released Thursday, Oct.1, nearly 30 percent of the state is experiencing “extreme” drought - the second highest degree of drought tracked by the state. The worst degree of drought is “exceptional.” The ranking goes, from least to most drought-like conditions, are None, Abnormallly Dry, Moderate Drought, Severe Drought, Extreme Drought, and Exceptional Drought. In…
COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County (Aug.) COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County (Aug.)
Covid-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Trends, Rates - Hampden County (Aug.) Hampden County’s largest cities continue to steadily reduce the number of positive COVID-19 tests among its residents, according to the most recent information from the Baker Administration. Springfield’s 14-day positive COVID-19 test rate was 2.3 percent - down from a high of 3.4 percent on July 17. West Springfield’s positive test rate dropped to 0.9 percent - it was at 1.7 percent just last week. Westfield also saw a decrease with the positive test rate ow at 0.9 percent. Meanwhile, Holyoke is holding steady at 2.4 percent positive. Palmer has increased to a 2.3 percent positive test…
COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Infection Rates, Trends - Hampden County, Aug. COVID-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Infection Rates, Trends - Hampden County, Aug.
Covid-19: Where Are The Hot Spots? Town Infection Rates, Trends - Hampden County, Aug. Chicopee’s positive COVID-19 test rate continued to climb this week as most Hampden County communities see declines or are holding steady, according to the most recent information from the Baker Administration. In Springfield, the 14-day COVID-19 positive test rate is down significantly from a high of 3.4 percent in the city in mid-June. The most recent test rate was 2.7 percent. In Massachusetts, the goal is that by December the state will have less than 5 percent of COVID-19 tests come back positive. On Friday, Aug. 5, Gov. Charlie Baker reported the state’s 7-day positive test rate was a…
Town-by-Town: 350 Employee COVID-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s Town-by-Town: 350 Employee COVID-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s
Town-by-Town: 350 Employee Covid-19 Complaints Filed Against WMass, Worcester Co.s Massachusetts has received hundreds of employee complaints alleging their workplaces are not meeting state safety and compensation standards during COVID-19. In March, the Massachusetts Attorney General started tracking worker complaints related to COVID-19. As of Friday, Aug. 7, Massachusetts workers had filed about 350 complaints against employers. The most heavily represented industry on the list is hospitals/nursing homes - over 50 complaints. The most common complaint was the nonpayment of wages. Of the complaints, 38 said they were retaliated against for coming forward with a grievan…