Latest news with #WestSpringfield
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
In West Springfield, 33 Westfield St. building is sold for $827K
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Crocker Design Group of Hingham — which does civil engineering and land surveying — bought 33 Westfield St. last month and plans to open a Western Massachusetts office. Region Commercial announced the sale this week of a 7,940-square-foot commercial property with a sales price of $827,000. 'We're thrilled to have helped orchestrate the successful transition of the property to Gabe Crocker and his team,' said Ben Bolotin of Region Commercial. 'Workstation (a hair salon) is a terrific tenant, and we're excited to see what Crocker Design brings to the marketplace.' Crocker Design Group specializes in property and land surveying, and the design, permitting and construction administration for real estate development projects throughout Massachusetts and beyond. 'We are excited to put down roots at 33 Westfield St. and contribute to the vibrant business community in downtown West Springfield,' said Gabe Crocker, owner of Crocker Design Group, in a prepared statement. The office building is in West Springfield's downtown and dates to 1969, according to city records. Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Big E Trust grants power up West Springfield's community programs
WEST SPRINGFIELD ― From robotics to baseball to community meals, 34 local groups are getting a boost from The Big E Trust, an initiative that supports programs making a difference in the community. The grant funding will help the town run events, buy supplies, and support local projects that make it a better place to live. Awardees this year include the West Springfield High School Robotics Team, the Wildcats Youth Baseball League and the Parish Cupboard. The grant committee includes West Springfield resident Mary Powers, CEO and President of the Eastern States Exposition Gene Cassidy, and Mayor William Reichelt, who announced the winners on Wednesday. Reichelt said the grant shows how strong the partnership is between West Springfield and the Eastern States Exposition. 'These grants allow us to invest directly into the heart of our community, supporting incredible programs and organizations that enrich the lives of our residents, from youth development to cultural preservation and critical social services. I am immensely proud of the diverse and impactful projects that will come to life through this funding,' he said. The committee said it looked closely at many applications and chose the ones that best matched the grant's goal of strengthening the community. Applications for the annual funding opened in March and closed in May. Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Expansion, safety concerns drive plans for new West Springfield Police HQ
WEST SPRINGFIELD ― As a new fiscal year begins, West Springfield Mayor William C. Reichelt is taking steps to modernize the community's police force. Reichelt plans to hire an architect to evaluate the Walgreens site next door to City Hall, believing it offers more space than the department's current two floors in the municipal building. Police Chief Jay Gearing says a new police headquarters is needed to better serve the community and support officers. During a recent tour of the department, The Republican observed cramped conditions at the headquarters, which is spread over three floors with crowded rooms and non-compliant spaces. For instance, a black box with sprawling cords, described by Gearing as 'the pulse' of the West Springfield Police Department, sits in the middle of a floor, vulnerable to foot traffic. The box houses a computer system that connects with other law enforcement agencies. 'If it were to be unplugged or bumped offline, Boston or Quincy would be calling within 15 minutes,' he said. The computer system lies within the department's records room, which contains paper files dating back to 2018 that Gearing said the department is sorting through. 'Court cases can drag on for many reasons, and we need access to the paperwork,' he said. The records area should be dedicated and secluded from the public, but when the town acquired the building in the 1970s, those standards did not exist, Gearing said. The department has been managing with the current setup, but the building's limitations are becoming increasingly apparent, Gearing said. 'We know what we need to do as far as amenities and space in work areas, but the footprint is behind,' he said. The proposed project comes as the community is working to expand the ranks of officers as well. The town uses a company to prescreen and test candidates for the police academy, moving away from hiring officers outside of the civil service system. Reichelt said this is the first time in the last 10 years the town is close to fully staffing the department. 'Taking officers out of civil service has helped the department recruit faster and replace them more quickly,' Reichelt said. With the department nearing full capacity of around 74 sworn officers and 15-18 supervisors, Reichelt said the department will expand the traffic, narcotics and detective bureaus. The department has six detectives, three sergeants and added a lieutenant position last year. These officers work on the third floor, while patrol and other departments are on the first floor of City Hall. Reichelt said the last upgrades to the detective bureau were in 2017. He said it isn't best practice to split the department across two floors. 'They have to go up two flights of stairs, and there is a disconnect with the first-floor patrol,' Reichelt said. 'There is no room for growth. If they want to change something, we have the space that we have.' Gearing says the lack of a radio system on the third floor is a major issue, as it's standard for police departments. While the first floor has a radio connected to a speaker for everyone to hear dispatchers, detectives on the third floor must carry portable radios to hear calls for service. The department is contending with a shift to major crimes like homicide, manslaughter, shootings, stabbings and sexual assaults, Gearing said. Existing interview rooms on the third floor are a significant concern, Gearing said. When police have someone in custody, they have to walk them through City Hall's main doors, take a public elevator or climb three flights of stairs to the interrogation rooms. 'It is not good for business, it is not good for suspects, it is not good all around,' Gearing said. 'It is a practice we want to get away from.' Storage in the evidence room and narcotics areas is clean and organized but packed to the ceilings. 'Were quickly approaching our limit,' Gearing said of available space. Everything from guns to sexual assault kits dating back to 2016 are stored. While the department is purging unnecessary items, evidence for people with outstanding warrants is kept until their capture. Fireworks, guns and ammunition must be disposed of by the state police bomb squad. But sexual assault and murder kits must be kept forever, Gearing said. 'The courts are busier too, so that slows us down in purging things,' Gearing said. Sgt. Michael Reid, who oversees the traffic bureau, investigations and administration, said that while working in the former boiler room, converted in the 1990s, he can hear conversations and toilets flushing from both City Hall restrooms. 'I can barely hear the men, and the women's voices are muffled,' Reid said. The room is decorated with playful signs that say 'Don't mind the grunting,' to keep the atmosphere light for residents, he said. A few weeks ago, after a tragic motorcycle accident, the noise made things uncomfortable. Reid had to warn the family about the noise. 'It is their privacy too,' he said. 'We should be able to have residents come into a nicer setting,' Gearing said. For a long time, only one woman worked as an officer in the department. Now, the department has nine. Because of limited space, the women's locker room is in a supply closet. Gearing said the women officers, who are part of a union, recently filed a complaint with the town about the conditions. They decided to drop it for now, hoping for a new headquarters. 'It could rear its ugly head again if something happened and the project fell through,' he said. On the way to the men's locker room in the basement, a former fingerprint room is now used to store records. It has flooded twice and is growing black mold. The men's locker room is bigger, but has no showers. It is dark, dank, dusty and far from everything in the building. Only 25 officers use it, the chief said. 'Most all modern police departments now have proper locker rooms because officers encounter biohazards on the job and don't want to bring it home to their families,' Gearing said. Recently, a committee considered the Walgreens site for the new headquarters. Reichelt sees value in keeping all municipal offices close together to maintain their connection. 'Whatever is done, I want to make sure it is affordable and best for the community,' Reichelt said. 'The police risk their lives, and what kind of value are we investing in the people who quite arguably go out every day with a chance they might not come back?' Gearing said morale in the department is excellent, but believes a new facility would improve it. The chief recalls being hired in 1996 and starting a midnight shift. 'I went to roll call, looked around, and said, 'This place is a dump.'' Largest federal grant in Mass Audubon history terminated by Trump admin Why we need a new Congress – and how to get one (Viewpoint) Business Monday ETC: July 7, 2025 People in Business: July 7, 2025 Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Country singer Cole Swindell to headline The Big E Arena for fall 2025
Country singer-songwriter Cole Swindell will headline The Big E's largest stage at the end of the 2025 fair's opening weekend. Swindell's 'Happy Hour Sad Tour' will make a stop at The Big E Arena in West Springfield on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Those who wish to attend can buy tickets starting Friday, June 27 at 10 a.m. through The Big E's website. Admission to the fair comes with the concert tickets when bought ahead of the show date. Read More: 'St. Paddy's Day' in the fall? 'Halfway' weekend offers live performances at The Big E Swindell, who MassLive spoke with earlier this month, is set to release his fifth studio album 'Spanish Moss' this Friday. 'I definitely love Mass. I just love the area,' Swindell told MassLive ahead of a June 15 performance at the Indian Ranch venue in Webster. The 41-year-old singer and Georgia native added that the energy he gets from the state's crowds is 'just unmatched every time.' Swindell is known for songs off his fourth studio album 'Stereotype' like 'Single Saturday Night,' 'She Had Me At Heads Carolina' and 'Never Say Never' with fellow country star Lainey Wilson. According to The Big E, throughout his career, Swindell has garnered 12 No. 1 singles as an artist and 13 as a songwriter. Read More: OUTLOUD Music Festival: LGBTQ-focused concert makes Boston debut (Photos) Cole Swindell joins the ranks of Foreigner, ZZ Top, The Avett Brothers, Train, The Kid LAROI, Gov't Mule and a joint performance between Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross as fellow Big E Arena headliners this fall. The Big E has also unveiled its Court of Honor Stage lineup. The fair returns for its 17-day run starting Friday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 28. The Big E is the largest fair on the East Coast, and last year marked a record-breaking annual attendance of 1.7 million fairgoers. Rock band Gov't Mule to open The Big E Arena on 2025 fair's first night Australian singer, rapper The Kid LAROI to headline The Big E Arena this fall After record-breaking attendance, The Big E seeks to disperse crowds in 2025 Pop headliner announced for The Big E Arena in fall 2025 performance Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes to headline the Big E Arena together for fall 2025 Read the original article on MassLive.
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cannabis Connection Supports Regulated Cannabis Access in West Springfield
With in-store shopping, pickup options, and a licensed brand portfolio, the dispensary serves West Springfield's adult-use market WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES, June 25, 2025 / / -- Cannabis Connection continues to provide regulated adult-use cannabis access in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Located at 302 River Street, the dispensary offers in-store shopping and online ordering with pickup, supporting local consumers with a range of compliant cannabis products sourced from licensed Massachusetts vendors. Open daily, Cannabis Connection Weed Dispensary West Springfield operates under Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) regulations and follows all legal procedures related to inventory tracking, customer ID verification, and point-of-sale compliance. Customers can browse products in-store or place orders through the dispensary's website for same-day pickup. The dispensary offers a variety of cannabis products from brands licensed and tested under the state's regulatory program. Each brand reflects a different segment of the market, offering options that meet Massachusetts standards for potency, dosage, and labeling. Camino, developed by Kiva Confections, offers cannabis-infused edibles with fruit-based formulations and measured cannabinoid content. These products comply with Massachusetts requirements for packaging, portion control, and consumer guidance. Dogwalkers supplies compact, travel-ready cannabis items produced for convenience and regulated use. Known for its focus on standardized dosing and clearly marked packaging, Dogwalkers remains part of the dispensary's broader offering of product formats. Papa's Herb is included in the dispensary's inventory for its consistent manufacturing process and availability across Massachusetts-licensed outlets. Products under the brand follow CCC requirements for labeling and batch testing. Hellavated contributes to the dispensary's selection with a range of cannabis products focused on controlled formulations and packaging that meets state guidelines. The brand supports variety within the dispensary's product catalog while remaining aligned with local compliance regulations. Cannabis Connection allows customers to pre-order products online for in-store pickup, offering a streamlined experience for those who want to reduce time on site. For walk-in visitors, staff are available to assist with product information, usage guidance, and regulatory questions in accordance with Massachusetts adult-use cannabis laws. This West Springfield cannabis store is positioned to serve residents from throughout Hampden County, as well as those commuting through the area. The dispensary provides access to cannabis in a licensed, secure environment while maintaining full compliance with retail regulations. Inventory is managed using the state's seed-to-sale tracking system (METRC), ensuring transparency throughout the supply chain. All cannabis sold at Cannabis Connection is lab-tested and verified through licensed state processes, with results available through labeling and supporting documentation. The dispensary's operating model reflects the evolving adult-use cannabis industry in Massachusetts, which emphasizes legal compliance, safe access, and clearly communicated consumer information. By offering licensed products, trained staff, and convenient purchasing methods, Cannabis Connection continues to serve a broad segment of West Springfield's adult-use cannabis community. About Cannabis Connection Weed Dispensary – West Springfield Cannabis Connection is a licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary located at 302 River Street, West Springfield, MA. The dispensary offers in-store shopping and online ordering with in-store pickup. It carries cannabis products from licensed brands including Camino, Dogwalkers, Papa's Herb, and Hellavated. Cannabis Connection operates in full compliance with state cannabis regulations and serves adult consumers in West Springfield and surrounding areas. For more information, visit Cannabis Connection Weed Dispensary West Springfield Cannabis Connection Weed Dispensary West Springfield +1 4134207287 email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
