Barrett Fishway at the Holyoke Dam opens for its annual viewing season on Wednesday with special Mother’s Day activities on Sunday owned and operated by Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) consists of two elevators or “lifts” which carry migrating fish up and over the Holyoke Dam Visitors can watch the lifts in action from an observation deck overlooking the Connecticut River The fishway is open for self-guided tours during regular business hours HG&E will provide a guided tour each Saturday and Sunday throughout the season at 1:30 p.m Additionally, The Barrett Fishway offers free educational programs for schools. Reservations for school groups are required, please visit hged.com/tour for details all mothers visiting the Fishway on Sunday will receive a free carnation to commemorate Mother’s Day and the spirit of rebirth on the Connecticut River In addition, the 58th Annual HG&E Shad Derby will be held on May 10-11, and May 17-18, with a grand prize of $1,000 in cash for the first-place winner in the senior division (www.hged.com/shadderby) Located off Bridge Street (Route 116) in Holyoke just west of the South Hadley-Holyoke Bridge the Holyoke Fishway’s 2025 season runs from May 7-June 15 The facility is closed on Monday and Tuesday For further information on the Barrett Fishway, visit hged.com/fishway or call 413-536-9460 NORTHAMPTON — The 28th annual Northampton Education Foundation Plant & Garden Market will take place this Saturday on the front lawn of Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School as well as raffles for a local handmade quilt and a bench and trellis made by Smith Vocational carpentry shop students The Smith Vocational PTO and Vikings softball team will be selling coffee and baked goods alongside the NEF fundraiser The plant sale raises money for books and online resources for the Northampton Public Schools and Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School Schools use their allotted money to diversify their curriculum offerings strengthen the nonfiction resources in libraries provide additional books when enrollment increases and add supplemental texts to enrich students’ learning experiences and to assist those with special needs Drop them off by Wednesday at one of the following collection sites: 373 N They can also be brought to Smith Vocational on Friday from 4-7 p.m HOLYOKE — The Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts will hold an informational meeting about the vision and progress of remaking the Victory Theatre on Wednesday at the Holyoke Public Library’s Community Room MIFA aims to transform the Victory Theatre into a performing arts center for the region is the only Broadway-sized venue in the region the future state-of-the-art theater will amplify Holyoke as an arts and cultural destination Planned year-round performances featuring a mix of top Broadway productions and educational partnerships boosting economic growth you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users Jacqueline Robles makes history as Holyoke Community College’s first Latina police chief (Holyoke Community College Police Department Photo)courtesy .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Aprell May Munford | AMunford@repub.comHOLYOKE — Springfield native Jacqueline Robles is set to make history as the first Latina police chief at Holyoke Community College “It’s exciting to be the first female Latina in this role and I look forward to being a role model for young women and men particularly from the Latino community,” Robles said Holyoke Community College will hold its first oath-of-office ceremony on Monday at 10:30 a.m A reception will follow in the Frost Building I believe Chief Robles will further strengthen the college’s new commitment to community policing and friends of the college feel supported and secure,” said Marlowe Washington The HCC Police Department currently has about 15 members People often think of police departments as municipal HCC police officers certified by the state’s POST Commission “They are sworn officers who carry weapons and perform all the duties that city or town police do When developing the job description for the next police chief Washington said the college wanted someone who not only had the technical skills of policing but also the interpersonal skills to relate to people and promote inclusion Despite conducting a thorough nationwide search and considering well over a dozen applicants it ultimately came down to choosing from within the department’s own ranks “(Robles) fit that bill perfectly and was the obvious choice,” Washington said “We were looking for someone who could help heal our campus He said sometimes all people see is blue uniforms and they can’t see the person behind that uniform “But truly these men and women that we have you know the private the kindest of men and women in our department,” Washington said Robles excels at bringing people to the table and being kind but also knows how to switch that kindness off depending on the situation Washington said Robles was a well-suited candidate for the top cop position because she has supervisory experience and knows where all the skeletons are on campus “She is familiar with the ins and outs and understands the politics and culture of the campus,” he said “That’s the kind of leader we need at this point at this time for the campus in order to bring about a different type of policing to the campus Washington said that this new language emphasizes how people relate to one another focusing on treating each other with kindness and trust Robles’ 22 years on the job is nothing to sneeze about and when the road was tough “We’ve had some challenges as a department During that time’ people left but (Robles) never gave up A part of why we selected her is the idea that she had staying power and she perseveres through all of the crisis I often think that (Robles) is a person who doesn’t run away from crisis Robles will be the police chief and executive director of community safety who has been serving as interim police chief at HCC since October 2024 10/21/2020 -Holyoke- View of Holyoke Community College Robles was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Springfield She is fluent in Spanish and believes that because the department serves a very diverse community “it only makes sense to have someone in the department who mirrors the people we serve,” she said Robles said her mother moved her to Bayamon I realized it was the best thing my mom ever did for me and learned to speak and write Spanish very well,” she said she said being fluent in Spanish has been beneficial at work as being bilingual has helped her aid others with language barriers guiding them through transitions or assisting them when they needed help I offered to accompany them to the courthouse and provide support,” she said Robles graduated from Holyoke High School and Springfield Technical Community College She comes from a family of police officers following three brothers and a sister into law enforcement After getting her associate degree in criminal justice from STCC Robles started as a security officer at Smith College Robles said that back in the mid to late ’80s which was more like public safety security she said the HCC Police Department was developed When Robles joined HCC in 2002 as a patrol officer The department became armed in 2013 for many reasons One was an increased awareness of societal dangers and issues particularly around the time of the Columbine High School shooting “What happened at the time our chief put it into play Luckily the college agreed and were supportive of that initiative As time goes by things change people change but even through so much change the campus police adapted Robles was promoted to sergeant where she supervised police officers She helped start a cadet program for HCC criminal justice students Robles said the department receives calls similar to those handled by municipal police “We handle everything from motor vehicle accidents to domestic calls drug-related issues are still part of society,” she said One of the things Robles is looking forward to is getting the department accredited and more involved with the campus community “I would love to offer training to everyone get some of our police certified and having the community come out and join us Our approach is very humanity-based policing most professional service we can as a college community,” Robles said Robles said she is looking to empower as many people as she can especially women of color and the Latino community She also wants to show her children that if they work hard they can achieve anything they set their minds to Her oldest son is a court officer in Worcester Robles said she was fortunate to have had many role models growing up or still active in policing she said she is eager to get started elected officials and members of the Holyoke Community College community along with over 30 of Robles’ family members are expected to attend Monday’s ceremony Police chiefs from several state community colleges and Holyoke While Holyoke Police Chief Brian Keenan has not previously worked with Robles a recently retired Springfield narcotics detective “I’d like to congratulate Chief Robles on her promotion She is dedicated public servant and will serve the Holyoke Community College campus well,” Keenan said and we will assist in any way that will help keep our entire community safe.” Around 75% of colleges and universities in the country have a campus police department Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices The city of Holyoke is on track to regain control of its schools for the first time in a decade city and state leaders have agreed on several “exit assurances,” leading to protests by the local teachers' union As Holyoke and its school committee prepare for a receivership exit, the state’s top education official stopped in the city this week to discuss its progress and transition to local control educators and staff of the Holyoke Public Schools as well as the students and families - it's been a long journey that's brought you to this really important benchmark,” said Dr both the state’s secretary of education and interim Department of Elementary and Secondary Education commissioner “… and I know that it's a result of hard work which is currently slated to happen July 1 Holyoke’s public schools have been under state control since 2015 due to chronic underperformance. It would lead to the creation of a lengthy turnaround plan for the district - one outlining goals and plans to boost attendance and better the engage the city’s now-4,800 students As Tutwiler explained, though, some of the plan’s policies will be sticking around for a while as “exit assurances” – a move to ensure stabilization and that the local control transition is a smooth one “Holyoke is the first district to come out of receivership so this is a first,” he said during a presentation to committee members “… this is a feature that exists - both in statute and regulation - a sort of an opportunity that the commissioner can take advantage of to ensure that the district continues to move in a positive direction” Those assurances include parts of “Appendix A” of the turnaround plan – dealing with collective bargaining agreements educator evaluations and even who establishes the school calendar – in this case Signed off on by Receiver/Superintendent Anthony Soto and Mayor Joshua Garcia, the move prolonging turnaround policies drew immediate criticism from the Holyoke Teachers Association It also fueled a series of walk-in protests held by its some 400 members Thursday morning across the district “They told us that we can't bargain on the length of the school year how much professional development time we get...” said Micah Shafferan an English teacher at Dean Tech High School every other school district in the state bargains over those things and they have been telling us that we are not allowed to bargain over that because those are what's part of the exit assurances.” Speaking with reporters, Shafferan says Holyoke teachers already contend with a low contract ceiling, on top of a turnover of about 100 teachers a year – with many leaving for higher pay in school districts elsewhere state Department of Education data shows Holyoke has retained 320 of its 423 teachers over the past year – 75.7 percent union members can bargain – but Appendix A features language that sets up various parameters and restrictions an ethnic studies/history teacher at Dean and also president of the HTA tells WAMC while the union knew exit assurances were a possibility Monday night’s announcement was a surprise Cream says teachers previously went through Appendix A with then-interim Commissioner Dr Russell Johnston – going through it point-by-point and stressing how it affects them and what they felt needed to go Tutwiler was clued in on those discussions and also met with the HTA the HTA head said he had been in contact with the secretary via email following a recent meeting “… in the email he wrote ‘Nice to talk with you we will set up a special school committee meeting where this will be the only thing on the agenda … that date is to be determined,’” the HTA head said and I had heard that they were releasing these [assurances] Tutwiler does say both district and union leadership were consulted on the matter though the HTA emphasizes it does not approve of them “The way they wrote it in the exit assurances was – ‘in consultation with the union,’ and we've learned that that word ‘consultation’ means absolutely nothing and then we're going to do the thing we were going to do anyway.’” Cream said “My sense … is that they're holding on to some very backwards and kind of outdated ways of thinking about education and the way that students actually learn and teachers actually teach.” Asked for comment about the HTA’s assurance disapproval and the apparent previous plans for a special school committee meeting a DESE spokesperson responded with a statement re-iterating that the assurances announced Monday were developed in consultation with local stakeholders The full statement from DESE spokesperson Jacqueline Reis reads: “The assurances announced Monday we developed in consultation with local stakeholders These measures are needed to provide stability and ensure that Holyoke Public Schools are set up for success when they exit receivership such as preserving early literacy programming and educator compensation and professional development." Cream says the HTA has reached out to the education secretary for a follow-up meeting and they have heard back but no date was immediately set as of Thursday he says the public is invited to attend a rally on May 15 before a scheduled bargaining session at Holyoke High School Be one of the first to know what's coming up on WAMC See additional subscription options MA — Real estate investment firms Newman Properties and Atlantic Capital Holyoke Retail LLC have announced the $6.8 million acquisition of Holyoke Landing a newly developed retail center located at 12-44 Holyoke Street in Holyoke Completed in 2022 and ideally situated just seconds from the Holyoke Mall Holyoke Landing comprises two modern commercial buildings anchored by national and regional tenants including Popeyes and a centrally located Tesla charging station The fully leased property represents a prime retail asset in the Central Massachusetts market “This acquisition aligns perfectly with our strategy of acquiring high-quality fully leased retail assets in strategic locations,” said a representative from Newman Properties “We see long-term value in Holyoke Landing and plan to hold the property for the foreseeable future as part of our growing commercial portfolio.” The purchase adds to Newman Properties’ expanding presence across the Greater Boston area and beyond currently owns and manages more than 750 residential units and a significant number of commercial properties Its past transactional volume exceeds $500 million across Boston The Holyoke Landing deal reflects Newman’s ongoing focus on value-add and long-term hold strategies as well as its interest in developments that align with modern retail trends and sustainability features like electric vehicle infrastructure This acquisition comes as Newman Properties continues to advance a robust pipeline of residential and commercial projects Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHOLYOKE MA (WGGB/WSHM) - A new multiuse pavilion has officially been completed at Lt Sullivan School in Holyoke after more than a year of construction all public projects must follow strict procurement laws before starting construction but “The whole point of this project started with engineering and then a manufacture,” said Sean Sheedy maintenance administrator for Holyoke Public Schools “There’s Massachusetts procurement laws that go into affect you have to make sure that you’re following those correctly to bring on a contractor.” The project was first envisioned by Holyoke Public Schools Superintendent and Receiver Anthony Soto who hoped to transform the area into a fun students and staff are already making use of it and many said it’s having a positive impact both physically and emotionally “That makes me feel really grateful to be a part of the school and community We have teachers here that I really care for us and our benefits They really care for our happiness so it makes me feel really good,” said Sullivan School seventh grader Jeyden Rodriguez “It allows us to have extend what we can do for gym and recess rainy days able to use this if you don’t get stuck in a classroom so it makes us an immense amount of joy that bring the kids joy allow them to use the outside space,” added Sullivan School Dean of Students Benjamin Castellano which extends the benefits beyond the classroom and into the community Click here to sign up for city emergency alerts - including community event alerts, Fire Department notifications, law enforcement alerts, general information alerts, and public works notifications By Patrick’s Day Road Race and Parade taking place this weekend certain roads will be closed along race and parade routes Drivers traveling around Holyoke should take note of the following information: Maple Street will be closed from Hampden Street to Lyman Street and Chestnut Street will be closed from Dwight Street to Hampden Street Downtown will be closed at the following locations The race will begin at the intersection of Maple and Lyman Streets at 1pm in a series of waves Streets along the race route will open as the last runners proceed A shuttle bus will run between HCC Lot Q and the Mater Dolorosa parking lot at Lyman and Chestnut continuously from 9am to 5pm 9:45am: I-91 Exit 14 (at Cherry Street near Homestead Avenue) off ramps will be closed Parade will begin at 11:10am and take approximately three hours for the entire parade to begin moving Streets along the parade route will open as the end of the parade proceeds This content is for decoration only skip decoration Authorities Monday identified the man who died after suffering a medical emergency at the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction The man who died Thursday while incarcerated at the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction has been identified PITTSFIELD — The man who died Thursday while incarcerated at the Berkshire County Jail & House of Correction has been identified as William J Sheriff Thomas Bowler said Monday that Bell suffered a seizure on Thursday morning had other seizures in the months since he was transferred to the Cheshire Road facility in 2023.  "The medical episode that he had was a seizure and it wasn't the first one that he's had with us," Bowler said.  The investigation into Bell's death by State Police remains open pending the completion of a toxicology report a spokesperson for Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue.  Bell had been in pretrial custody at the Pittsfield jail since May 4 though his case was pending outside the county in Hampden Superior Court Bowler said Bell was receiving medical care at the jail but was not under "constant watch," as someone would be during a mental health crisis Bell was charged with murder after prosecutors alleged he and a codefendant 2022. Vizcarrondo's body was recovered from the Connecticut River in Chicopee Bell was previously incarcerated at the Hampden County House of Correction "William Bell was transferred from the Hampden County Jail in May 2023 due to housing limitations specifically related to the presence of individuals with whom he had known conflicts in order to ensure the safety and security of all involved," Robert Rizzuto director of communications for the Hampden County Sheriff's Office another man who was in custody at the jail noticed that Bell was having a seizure in his cell and notified staff at about 8:45 a.m which is located next to the pod Bell was housed in County Ambulance medics then responded and continued care according to a Friday statement from jail Superintendent Brad Little Bell was taken to Berkshire Medical Center where he was pronounced dead before 10 a.m.  Amanda Burke can be reached at aburke@berkshireeagle.com or 413-496-6296 The Tavern at the A in Pittsfield is preparing to reopen for food service this May even as the fate of its liquor license remains uncertain after Monday afternoon's Licensing Board meeting  Hancock residents will vote on a 20-item warrant at the 2025 Annual Town Meeting 7 p.m The town election will be held noon to 6 p.m At least 70 job-seekers connected with 18 employers at Lenox's annual job fair Dalton's annual town meeting will begin at 7 p.m The town election will be May 12 at the Dalton Senior Center three men discussed plans for a secret raid that would become America’s first offensive victory in the Revolutionary War locals gathered to commemorate the largely forgotten meeting that helped shape history Becket voters will consider the proposed fiscal 2026 budget adopting the seasonal community designation a bylaw regulating outdoor lighting and other items at the annual town meeting on May 10.  Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device A Premier Tasting Fundraiser & Silent Auction The Holyoke Rotary Club has announced the date of the 2025 Eat their premier tasting fundraiser and silent auction on Thursday The event will take place at the Holyoke Council on Aging & Senior Center at 5:30pm and will include live music performed by The Earls & Pearls & Be Holyoke will feature food prepared by Amedeo’s Beverage tastings will be provided by Quality Beverage and Wine Haus Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at https://edbh2025.eventbrite.com/ Drink & Be Holyoke is generously sponsored Holyoke Medical Center The Holyoke Rotary Club is still identifying additional event sponsors, as well as food and beverage vendors. Local businesses interested in supporting and collaborating together with the Holyoke Rotary Club for this event are encouraged to visit www.holyokerotary.com Proceeds will go towards supporting Rotary projects mostly within the Holyoke Rotary district of Holyoke Ongoing Holyoke Rotary projects include providing several annual scholarships providing food for those in need through community collaborations and fostering community engagement with free summer concerts as well as funding international clean water initiatives Since 2008 the Holyoke Rotary Club has raised over $150,000 to fund various projects including the Miracle League of Western Massachusetts Inclusive Playground at Kennedy Field K-9 vests for the Holyoke Police Department and literacy projects with Kelly School and Holyoke Boys’ and Girls’ Club HOLYOKE — The City of Holyoke will host an observance of Kwanzaa on Saturday which is observed annually the last week of December celebrates African heritage and Kwanzaa’s seven principles: Umoja (Unity) To strive for unity in the family and race; Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves and speak for ourselves; Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and solve problems together; Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores and other businesses and to profit from them together; Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community; Kuumba (Creativity) To do always as much as we can in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it; Imani (Faith) To believe with all our heart in our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle a partnership with Kwanzaa Collective in the Valley with Ayanna Crawford and Theresa Cooper-Gordon of Holyoke an educator and cultural historian at Westfield State University who teaches in the fields of History and the reading of a proclamation by Holyoke Mayor Joshua A Garcia designating December 26 through January 1 Kwanzaa Week in Holyoke The Kwanzaa observance is open to the public HOLYOKE, Mass., Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pickleball Kingdom the world's largest indoor pickleball entity announces its newest facility coming to Holyoke which will span 44,000 square feet and feature 15 professional-grade indoor courts is targeting an opening in the third quarter of 2025 This location is set to become the premier pickleball destination in the area makes it an ideal location for our premier indoor pickleball facility," said Ace Rodrigues "This venue will serve as more than just a playing ground—it will be a central gathering spot for players across all skill levels to connect two of the driving forces behind Pickleball X Equity bring a wealth of experience in managing service businesses "Pickleball's rapid rise is truly inspiring and our goal is to make this amazing sport accessible to as many people as possible," said Dhaval Patel "We believe that life is better with pickleball and we're excited to bring that vision to Holyoke." "We're committed to building strong community connections by collaborating with schools and organizations throughout Massachusetts Our passion is making Pickleball Kingdom a meaningful part of daily life in Holyoke." President and Chief Global Officer of Pickleball Kingdom "Holyoke is a fantastic addition to our growing network The enthusiasm and dedication of Pickleball X Equity ensures that this location will provide an unparalleled pickleball experience." For more information and updates on the Holyoke Pickleball Kingdom is the premier indoor pickleball franchise dedicated to fostering community and providing world-class facilities With a mission to create a global network of pickleball venues Pickleball Kingdom is at the forefront of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S Pickleball Kingdom offers franchisees the highest industry AUV (average unit volume) per location demonstrating the strength of its business model and the comprehensive support provided to franchise owners As pickleball continues to surge in popularity, Pickleball Kingdom invites driven individuals to explore franchise opportunities and be a part of this exciting growth. For more information on franchise opportunities, visit https://pickleballkingdom.com/franchise/ For Franchise or Media Inquiries:Mitch Kistner, Sr. Director of MarketingEmail: [email protected]  Phone: 888-788-0999 announces its newest facility coming to Bryan continues its nationwide growth by awarding a multi-unit franchise agreement that.. Health Care & Hospitals Fitness/Wellness Entertainment General Sports Do not sell or share my personal information: Today on The Rundown, panelists reflect the first 100 days of the Trump administration, and how its policies have had local impact in the 413 thus far And, we unpack a new report that looks at the contributions of Latino population to the state’s economy over the last ten years despite ongoing gaps between Latino residents and other Massachusetts populations Plus, concerns emerge as the Holyoke School District prepares to revert from state to local control Today’s panel includes reporter emeritus Paul Tuthill; Eric Lesser, senior counsel at WilmerHale and former state senator; and NEPM reporter Nirvani Williams Carrie Saldo is an experienced and award-winning multimedia journalist She's reported on everything from arts to politics Her investigations have sought justice for homeless individuals called attention to racial inequity in the construction industry and sparked an international debate about two Norman Rockwell paintings Richard Neal and the artist Christo are among the people she's interviewed She's worked with several PBS and NPR member stations including GBH News in Boston and Rocky Mountain Public Media in Denver She has degrees in English and theater from Manhattanville College This content is for decoration only skip decoration. Embed on your websiteClose×Copy the code below to embed the WBUR audio player on your site<iframe width="100%" height="124" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://player.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/03/17/mount-holyoke-college"></iframe> EmailPresident Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department in Washington (Pool via AP)The Department of Education is investigating more than 50 universities for using race to recruit and support some students Danielle Holley, the president of Mount Holyoke College, has been outspoken about the Trump administration's attempts to punish conduct, thinking and research at universities that the White House finds objectionable Mount Holyoke is not one of the institutions being investigated Holley told Here & Now that higher education needs to stand up to the Trump administration “We have the right as universities and colleges to determine our own missions,” Holley said “And the government really has some serious restrictions under the First Amendment about telling us what our values and missions can be.” Standing up to the federal government could come with a huge cost The Trump administration has pulled $400 million in grants from Columbia University for what it says is the university's failure to police antisemitism on campus It is demanding the university make changes before it reinstates the money stand up to the federal government if they came knocking on your door “We have not had the federal government come knocking on our door for colleges and universities to protect their values and mission most colleges and universities would say that protecting Jewish students making sure that antisemitism is not present on our campuses is a very important college and university mission what does the federal government do when they are trying to basically become kind of a super board of trustees or super admissions commission Because I think one of the things that is important to academic freedom and to individual professors And so for us as colleges and universities it's very important that we enforce our own rules and standards of conduct and not let the federal government politicize what we do as colleges and universities.” What happens when the cost of doing that is $400 million “I think that we as universities have to challenge the federal government's ability to do that Because if this is viewpoint discrimination if it's the government saying you have to think in the way that we think or you are subject to having your funds pulled then I think the question is really to see them in court is this a First Amendment violation by the federal government or are colleges and universities really able to determine internally how to best kind of regulate ourselves internally does the federal government have the right to politicize what we do as universities?” Many Americans of different political points of view do believe that college campuses have gone through a bit of a transformation in recent years; they've become places for the elite where only liberal ideas are embraced or where conservative students don't feel like their ideas are heard Do you think that universities have brought any of this scrutiny on themselves Could colleges do something to be a more welcoming place we have to talk more about what we are there to do which is to produce knowledge and spread knowledge and help students of whatever political background they're from determine how best to use that knowledge to further what they believe are their own values and mission “I think where we've gone wrong is to allow this idea to become prevalent I can barely get students to read the syllabus let alone indoctrinate them into any form of political belief I think that's the false narrative that's being pushed is the idea that colleges and universities are somehow indoctrinating students instead of developing and spreading knowledge.” What do you think the Trump administration is actually trying to accomplish here “I think if you read a lot about autocracy and the kind of diminution of democracy around the world you learn that attacks on the university are one of the first places where people start when they want to attack democracy “People like JD Vance attended Yale Law School our president attended [the University of Pennsylvania] These are graduates of the Ivy League universities there's clearly a mission beyond kind of simply an attack on universities do we have a well-educated populace that's able to participate at the highest levels in democracy “The only reason to destroy universities and colleges is to attack a highly And I think it is deeply ironic when we see people who attended the Ivy League universities then attack universities as a problem in our democracy.” Lynn Menegon produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Catherine Welch. Allison Hagan adapted it for the web. Peter O'Dowd Senior Editor, Here & NowPeter O’Dowd has a hand in most parts of Here & Now — producing and overseeing segments, reporting stories and occasionally filling in as host. He came to Boston from KJZZ in Phoenix. Lynn Menegon Producer Here & NowLynn Menegon has been a producer with Here & Now since 2001 HOLYOKE — The city of Holyoke is set to lose out on $20 million in previously anticipated federal grants President Donald Trump continues to halt federal funding and grants that stand in contrast to his own political agenda Holyoke Mayor Josh Garcia announced on social media that the city had lost a planned $19 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant a grant established under the administration of former President Joe Biden the grant would have provided funds for a new centrifuge at the city’s wastewater treatment plant a new fuel depot for city vehicles and essential roadway and sidewalk repair “This program was vital for Gateway City communities like Holyoke providing much-needed financial assistance for projects that not only has an impact to the quality of life of residents but also what they pay as rate payers and tax payers,” Garcia wrote part of the federal Inflation Reduction Act was established to benefit gateway cities like Holyoke which are often reliant on grant funding to support infrastructure and resources The city of Springfield had been a previous recipient of the grant receiving $20 million in July for solar project and retrofitting building and homes to support cleaner energy use we have projects that have to be done that are always seeking a funding source,” Monahan said “While we’re getting things done through the funding process we’re also reaching out to the community to get them to participate in the process So this grant included outreach to residents who are affected by Holyoke’s ability or inability to provide basic services in some cases.” Monahan said the city applied for the grant in August and was queued to receive it Ed Markey’s office about plans for the grant But those plans were derailed when Trump issued an executive order on Jan called on all federal agencies to “immediately pause the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,” an action referred by the order as “terminating the Green New Deal.” titled “Unleashing American Energy,” also called for deregulating of energy permitting processes and encouragement of energy production on federal lands and waters It’s one of dozens of executive orders Trump has issued in his first several weeks as president targeting everything from gender ideology to refugee resettlement programs “The president went and stopped all funding outreach and started looking at programs that didn’t comply with his anti-DEI and anti-woke strategies,” Monahan said “There was funding available and appropriated by Congress The loss of the Community Change Grant isn’t the only instance of promised federal dollars Holyoke is losing out on The city had previously signed an agreement with the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation to receive $1 million from for an urban forestation program But the city received a letter this week from the foundation saying the Forest Service had terminated the award “The USDA Forest Service determined that award .. no longer effectuates agency priorities regarding diversity equity and inclusion programs and activities.” The letter also stated that the foundation was taking steps to dispute the decision Monahan said with the possibility of federal aid for the projects no longer a reality the city would reach out to the state government for support having begun to engage with talks with state Rep along with representatives from the western Massachusetts office of Gov “They’re recognizing the importance of this project,” Monahan said “In order to build the integrity and to promote the infrastructure capacity that Holyoke has for these big businesses we were using this grant to make that happen.” Garcia also stated in his social media post on Monday that he would continue to try and secure funding for the projects the City will continue to collaborate with our state and congressional representatives to secure the necessary funding to support our infrastructure needs,” Garcia wrote “We remain committed to advocating for the resources our community deserves and will pursue every available avenue to restore this vital support.” Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com Wisteria vines will be in full bloom at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke in May.Submitted .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Dawn Chipman | Special to The RepublicanHOLYOKE — It only happens once a year The month of May brings your chance to see the more than 100-year-old wisteria vines put on a show in Holyoke When these plants blossom at the Wistariahurst Museum purple flowers create walls of blooms as high as 35 feet on the mansion’s exterior home invasions and a gardener’s wish wind through the wisteria’s history dating back to the days of the horse and buggy The original owner of Wistariahurst Museum was a prominent Holyoke businessman who made a fortune manufacturing silks and satins renowned for their high quality William Skinner & Sons became the largest producer of satin linings in the world the horticultural brain behind the wisteria growing at the house today wisteria vines grew in popularity in both the United States and Europe They also symbolized love and romance so there are many reasons Sarah might have originally been drawn to them,” Wistariahurst Museum Director Megan Seiler said The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke is pictured in this archive photo from the late 1980s.Submitted Old photos show the home’s barren grounds which Sarah transformed into a place described as both a “handsome park” and a “Holyoke showplace.” The landscape included fruit trees Chinese and Japanese species of wisteria were planted around the house in the 1880s and as they grew and completely engulfed parts of the mansion The Holyoke newspaper announced the blooms every year It’s unclear when exactly the house was named after the flowering vines but in 1901 “Wistariahurst” appeared on Sarah’s private stationary Sarah wasn’t the only one fond of the wisteria Wistariahurst Museum Curator and Holyoke city historian Skinner family lore has it that one of the Wistariahurst gardeners he be buried with wisteria seeds in his pocket One might imagine that gardeners through the generations encountered challenges caring for the giant wisteria at some points Chinese and Japanese wisteria are fairly drought tolerant but perhaps an insect infestation or damaging storms wreaked havoc “They do more damage than they experience,” Martorell said “I have a love/hate relationship with the vines,” Seiler said “They are stunning and a unique part of the house and its history but they are invasive and damage the house.” Over the decades the wisteria climbed vigorously over the roof pulled down clapboards and grew into rooms in the house “I have seen spinners of the vine pressed up against the window in the afternoon and then within 24 hours it had wound its way between the upper and lower sash of the window and into the house,” Martorell said The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke is pictured in this archival photo dated between 1920 and 1950.Submited The staff keeps the adventurous vines in check in several ways — the first method of control is to prune back the vines every year Although volunteer master gardeners care for Wistariahurst’s gardens an arborist manages the wisteria due to the plant’s size Nothing like the delicate green vines of morning glories or clematis mature wistaria vines like the ones at Wistariahurst are more like small Another control tactic is custom trellises After the discovery of significant rot and damage caused by the vines on the Pine Street porch a sturdy new trellis which holds the vines away from the wall was installed The design prevents the wisteria from climbing directly on the house yet preserves the striking visual effect people love “My favorite thing about the vines is how bees are so drawn to them “You have the incredibly fragrant blooms and all of these buzzing bees; the vines have a little symphony going on that you can smell and hear.” The Wistariahurst grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk For an opportunity to both see the wistaria vines and find the perfect gift for mom Wistariahurst Museum will host both a Mother’s Day market and plant sale on Saturday while the plant sale will be held from 10 a.m A public survey is open for community feedback about wayfinding signage that may inform the development of design-related components of future signs in the City! https://tinyurl.com/holyokesigns Effective and distinct wayfinding signage plays an important role in supporting Downtown Holyoke’s economy and vitality The City has been working to develop a wayfinding plan for the downtown The intent of the plan is to establish an updated approach for the wayfinding signage system that could replace the existing (City-owned) signs over a period of time The new system would create a more navigable downtown for users of all travel modes using a simple but distinct and cohesive signage strategy The City will be using this wayfinding plan to develop and fabricate simple signs in the near future for downtown Holyoke The City of Holyoke is committed to facilitating a robust process of community engagement relating to its Downtown wayfinding strategy including in-person and virtual options for a Wayfinding Advisory Committee 2025 the City hosted stakeholder discussions and the first of two public meetings as part of the project process The public meeting presentation is available to view A second public meeting will be identified later this summer to present the proposed wayfinding sign designs and overall strategy MA (WGGB/WSHM) - New details have been released into an incident that led to a heavy police presence Monday night at McDonald’s on Maple Street in Holyoke Police told us Tuesday that two people were stabbed inside the restaurant investigators appeared to be taking photos and reviewing evidence They added that one of them stabbed the first man and one of the suspects also ended getting stabbed The first victim was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries The second person was located at High and Suffolk Streets with a serious stab wound and he was taken to the hospital and placed under arrest Police have identified the third man and are urging him to turn himself in Massachusetts is going up – and it’s going up fast Phase II of the South Holyoke Homes project is well underway – with duplexes popping up rapidly after at least a decade of planning we had a house completely constructed,” Matthew Mainville Executive Director of the Holyoke Housing Authority construction crews have been stacking modular units off Clemente Street since the start of the week three-story structure was nearly in place as HHA and city leaders gathered in front of them to mark the progress then delivered to site here - we’re placing one of the sites with the most number of units here - there’s three other sites with a total of 20 home ownership units,” said Sarah Meir-Zimbler referencing the other duplexes to be built along Clemente and S We’ll start taking applications later this month and we’re hoping to get homeowners in these units in the fall.” Assembled in Pennsylvania by manufacturer Ritz-Craft Corporation (RC2) a number of the modular pieces are sitting down the street – ready to be towed to the next site Project partners Western Builders say almost 60 of the rectangular pieces will be stacked and installed forming 20 “affordable townhomes” across ten duplexes Close by is a large, single structure sporting 12 rental units — Phase I of the project, completed two years prior. Near that – the lot that’s been allotted for Phase III designed to include 40 units of rental housing Filming almost every block being crane-lifted and bolted into place since Monday was Ward 2 City Councilor Carmen Ocasio She tells WAMC seeing the progress in her neighborhood is something special – allowing for more families to potentially move in or move up in South Holyoke “I'm just so happy - to be a city councilor [and] a resident of South Holyoke for 52 years and being part of this project meant a lot to me,” she said “Seeing it come to life is amazing - it's amazing It’s a stretch of the city where home ownership is astronomically low says Mayor Joshua Garcia – with over 90 percent of the housing believed to be rentals if not the lowest median household income (about $20,000 or less the mayor says referencing the census tract covering South Holyoke) Garcia himself grew up in this neighborhood and says the project is personal for him a combination of rental and home ownership - that creates vibrant neighborhoods and so this approach that this city has undertaken 15 years ago is one that is really going to move the needle in improving the quality of life in this neighborhood,” Garcia said “And it's not just home ownership - this neighborhood coupled with other projects it has underwent: infrastructure upgrades street lamps - it's a very different neighborhood from what I remember when I was a kid and this is going to be great for future generations to come.” The project is being supported in-part by $3.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding through the city as well as over $7 million from MassHousing It’s also received support from a number of stakeholders who notes getting more housing online is a priority – especially for would-be “We want as many tools in the toolbox as we can and so if we're able to provide that first-time homebuyer an opportunity to get into a home so they can build generational wealth - we're just super excited to be able to provide as many opportunities as we can as a housing authority,” he said Applications for Phase II will be available either later in April or May Meir-Zimbler says applicants will need a mortgage pre-approval and that a lottery drawing for the units will be held later in the year The plan is to sell the 3-4 bedroom homes totaling 1,680 and 1,860 square-feet to families at either 80 percent or 100 percent of the area median income HOLYOKE — A Hanukkah observance organized by Congregation Sons of Zion in collaboration with Congregation Rodphey Sholom will be held at Holyoke City Hall This ninth annual celebration at City Hall will include the lighting of the Menorah Hanukkah begins at sundown on December 25 and lasts for eight nights The first day of Hanukkah takes place each year on the 25th of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar which corresponds to November-December in the Gregorian calendar The Hebrew calendar is based on the lunar cycle which means the dates of the holiday change yearly Information: office@sonsofzionholyoke.org state and local officials gathered Thursday in Holyoke with union iron workers and military veterans to celebrate progress on the construction of a $480 million residential facility for veterans They held a "topping off" ceremony — hoisting the final steel beam over the heads of the crowd and up to the top of the building The beam was painted like the American flag in red and signed by union workers as well as Gov Healey told the crowd it was a "privilege" to sign it "To our 'sky cowboys,' we thank you for all you do: [Iron Workers] Local 7 the building trades who have been part of this incredible effort," she said it's just incredible to see the progress that has been made." the 350,000 square foot facility will have single occupancy rooms for 234 veterans as well as a 40-person adult day care program The first 20 residents will move in in November 2026 Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia said the veterans who will live in the facility formerly known as the Holyoke Soldiers' Home "This awesome big building here in front of us and the caregivers who staff it the sacrifice and patriotism of the veterans who answered their country's call whether they served in Belgium or Berlin or Saigon .. Richard Neal compared the new building to a "phoenix rising from the ashes," referencing the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in the current facility The tragedy that occurred here cannot be swept under the rug who chairs the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs addressed the families of those who died during the outbreak I'm not sure we would be here today with this building," Velis said the facility will include a memorial to the veterans who died during the pandemic The current building will be demolished after construction of the new one is completed “I’m standing here in front of you voters and saying ‘please fire me,’” said Rory Casey Thursday including Casey and City Council members standing behind him argue that the role of treasurer should be an appointed position HOLYOKE – City Treasurer Rory Casey is making the case for voters ahead of a Jan 28 special election that he should be fired “Most politicians would stand up in front of a group of voters and say ‘Please hire me.’ I’m a little bit different I’m standing here in front of you voters and saying ‘Please fire me,’ ” Casey said last week on Holyoke Media arguing in favor of question that asks voters whether the position of treasurer should become an appointed position rather than elected Casey hopes voters agree that the treasurer which has sole control over nearly $200 million in taxpayer money should be appointed and overseen by the City Council and mayor and are joining Casey in asking residents to vote “yes” in the upcoming single-issue election A “yes” vote would enable the city to alter its charter to reflect the change while a “no” vote would leave the charter unchanged Mayor Joshua Garcia said an appointed treasurer is a “vital” step toward modernizing the city’s administrative efficiency which has been a foundational project of his the past three years as mayor and that a ‘yes’ vote would “help us strengthen our internal controls and support our initiatives to improve financial reporting.” the appointed treasurer would serve for three years one year less than the current four-year elected term a job posting for the position of treasurer would be made available online and candidates would be evaluated based on experience and pending the result of background checks and the mayor would give the final nod to a potential candidates Officials in favor of appointing the treasurer believe that the elections do not attract a pool of qualified candidates the same way other city offices do such as a seat on the City Council or mayor does not outline requirements for the position which leaves the city at risk of having incompetent candidates are “nefarious characters,” who could potentially be elected to the position due to lack of competition for the role “We need to have protections in place if we don’t have a treasurer with proper credentials who’s held accountable,” Casey said the city will have “a real disaster on our hands Holyoke has seen four different treasurers which has led to four special elections to fill those vacancies Casey had risen to the spot because he had been the only person to file paperwork for the position when he was elected in 2022 and claimed that of the 351 communities in the state Holyoke is the only municipality that retains an elected treasurer as all the state’s communities have evolved toward the appointed model he would serve until the end of his term in February 2026 “My message to the people of Holyoke is that if you really want to have control over the city’s finances then trust the elected officials that you’ve put in place already — the council who will make this appointment the mayor who will oversee the day-to-day operations of this office,” said Casey the treasurer had two responsibilities: to have a fireproof vault The job responsibility today is managing millions of dollars of taxpayer funds.” The mayor has spearheaded the issue coming to a vote for the past two years in conjunction with the both the council and the state Legislature A popular vote is required to alter the city’s charter which was recently approved by the Legislature to be held on Jan City Council President Tessa Murphy-Romboletti said that “We’re not here today to tell people how to vote,” but went on to say that the effort seeking this change is “unique” in that it has met unanimous approval among all 13 city councilors “There are not many issues that we agree on completely,” she said The city has been aware of the issue for years as watchdogs outside the state have consistently brought attention to the “material weaknesses” of Holyoke’s treasurers for almost two decades A 2007 evaluation of the existing practice had been conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services “The mayor does not function as a fully empowered central authority who can demand that jobs get done … This lack of authority severely limits the ability of the mayor to impose sound financial management practices.” Again in 2015 when further analysis was conducted by the Division of Local Services it was concluded that an appointed official would allow the city to “establish minimum job qualifications and complete background checks of potential candidates With access to a broader pool of candidates the city can attract a person with the strongest credentials and most relevant professional experience.” have called for a change in the current practice All notices the state has received in reference to this issue have been included on a website the city has specifically set up for information on the vote Registered voters of the city can contact the clerk’s office for mail-in ballots and the last day to vote by mail is by 5 p.m In-person absentee voting will take place at City Hall until Jan according to City Clerk Brenna Murphy Leary Voting locations are available through the clerk’s office Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com nearly half-a-year after his predecessor retired residents and officials filled the upstairs ballroom in Holyoke City Hall Tuesday as the city welcomed its new police chief Brian Keenan was previously a longtime member of the Springfield Police Department before accepting the role as Holyoke’s top cop after his final public interview in December including several as the head of the department’s Firearms Investigation Unit he applied for his current role months after the retirement of former Holyoke Police Chief Keenan accepted an offer from Mayor Joshua Garcia in December, following a monthslong search to replace Pratt.  Keenan studied criminal justice at Westfield State University After three years as a corrections officer with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department he joined the Springfield Police Department as a patrol officer and rose through the ranks Springfield Police Superintendent Larry Akers said Keenan's departure was a loss for Springfield and a significant gain for its neighbor up the Connecticut River and it's certainly a loss for my department and the city of Springfield,” he told reporters and he did a lot of good things for my department Compared to Springfield, he’ll now be working in a significantly smaller city, both in size and population – one that’s also seen its fair share of drug and violent crime There’s also a number of situations that need to be addressed at Holyoke PD, according to a 2023 audit commissioned by the mayor who referenced it during the ceremony as well as Keenan’s dissection of it turnover and reputational risks,” Garcia said while at the podium but it offers a clear roadmap to improvement and best practices Chief Keenan’s extensive experience will be invaluable in addressing these challenges and I pledge my full support out of the mayor's office as he takes on this significant task.” Keenan has signaled he largely agrees with the changes the firm behind the audit recommended They include better vehicle and equipment maintenance oversight and officer training as well as addressing the fact that only 64 percent of the city's designated patrol personnel "actually perform patrol duties" — the rest being assigned to ancillary duties Department officials tell WAMC Holyoke, a city of just over 37,000 people, has at least 85 patrol officers and 27 supervisors, funded by a budget of about $14.4 million Keenan has also indicated he plans to have officers more embedded in the community while addressing hotspots and problem areas in the city “Irresponsible landlords will be held accountable for their properties - we will not tolerate landlords who place profits ahead of the conditions of the neighbors we serve,” Keenan said safe traffic patterns: all of which will greatly improve the quality of life for our residents we can make sure that the pride we feel in this city is reflected as an excellent quality of life for every resident in every neighborhood - we can do this.” Pledging transparency and community engagement he added his police department would prioritize quality of life issues in the city as well speeding and other issues that also came up during the finalist interview