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The Big E opens in two weeks and, as always, it’s expected to attract hundreds of thousands of people and heavy traffic, so people are concerned about the status of the ongoing construction right along most entrances. The construction crews though will stop the project right before, and for the duration of the fair. The hope is to have the entire road repaved before the next Big E, in 2026.

A new mural celebrating Italian heritage was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Italian Cultural Center in Springfield’s south end. It depicts four generations of an Italian family sharing a meal. Springfield is now home to more than 80 murals.

Community members are raising concerns after drug paraphernalia was found at Rebecca Johnson Park, which is near Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Springfield. The discovery of needles, drugs, and alcohol bottles at the park has prompted school officials to call for increased safety measures. They would like it closed during school hours and protected with more fencing or gates.

New England’s premier Portuguese festival, Festa, finally returned to Ludlow last night. The cultural celebration will be held through the end of the day Monday on Winsor Street in Ludlow with rides, games, food, music, and more. 

St. Mary's High School and elementary students have enjoyed a little bit of an extended summer. The high school in Westfield had a pipe burst, which also caused an electrical issue in the elementary school. The amount of water that entered the building destroyed the electrical panels. They're hoping to have the high school ready to open up on Tuesday

Two kids are safe after the car they were in was stolen Monday night in Springfield. Officers were called to the 400 block of Sumner Avenue around 8 p.m. for a reported kidnapping. The victim reportedly told police that they left the vehicle running while they ran into a nearby business and picked up food. The suspect parked the car on Kenwood Terrace and ran away once noticing the kids, who were unharmed.

National Night Out events are typically held on the first Tuesday of August across the country. But Springfield has spread them out, including hosting one yesterday in the North End. The goal was to focus on different neighborhoods to ensure widespread community engagement.

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) announced that the Try Transit program will be extended through June 2026, providing free fares for fixed route bus and paratransit services. In addition, Springfield officials have launched the Safe Travels Initiative at Union Station, a collaborative effort between the Springfield Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department to enhance public safety and hospitality.

Well if you're looking for fresh organic tomatoes, sounds like the best ones in all of the State are right here in Western Mass. Red Fire Farm in Granby has been recognized for its exceptional organic tomatoes, winning first place at the Massachusetts Tomato Contest. The farm has been producing fresh produce for over 20 years and is renowned for its diverse selection of about 100 varieties of tomatoes

A Postal Worker is being charged after he hit several cars and a building with his mail truck. The first incident happened by the rotary in East Longmeadow where the driver of the post office truck struck a person near the Pride gas station gas pumps. That person is in serious but stable condition. The driver then crashed into other cars before finally crashing into the Peoples Bank on North Main Street

A local teacher who has spent years in the Springfield Public School system, is taking action to address homelessness among young women in the area.' He was inspired by the struggles faced by some of his students who experience homelessness and housing insecurity. The project aims to provide much-needed assistance to young women in Springfield, addressing a critical gap in services.

A longtime staple restaurant in Downtown Springfield is closing its doors in just a few days, August 31st will be the last day for the Plan B Burger Springfield location. The restaurant has been operating in Springfield for over a decade, but will continue to operate 3 locations in Connecticut

Big Y was recently named among America’s most trustworthy companies by Newsweek. The grocery chain is one of the largest independently owned in New England and it all started at the intersection of Chicopee and Meadow Streets in Chicopee, where there was a store called Y Cash Market. The roadways there form a Y shape, and two brothers bought it in 1936 eventually expanding and renaming it Big Y

Massachusetts remains full steam ahead on creating the West-East rail, connecting Western Mass to Boston via train. The state just secured $3.5 in funding, which will allow the project to make new steps forward. The hope is that it becomes more than a train route, but builds a connected economy, expands opportunity, and brings about a sustainable future

To some, the sound of paving trucks on these streets in Chicopee, will be music to their ears. Others may need to watch out for the traffic delays and detours. Lookout for the paving projects on Broad Street, Lukasik Street, Manning Street, May Street and Dorothy Ave. The hope is to complete Broad Street before Chicopee Public Schools have their first day on Thursday

If you're planning on any Labor Day Weekend travel, AAA says you won't be alone. They anticipate heavy traffic on Thursday, with the worst travel times expected between 1 PM and 8 PM. It's also expected that travel back to Western Mass between noon and 5pm on Sunday, will lead to heavy traffic delays

If you wanted to contribute to The Q 99.7's back to school collection drive last week but missed out, don't worry. Coopers Gifts on Main Street in Agawam is collecting school supply donations through September 14th. They will then be turned around and given to the Homework House, a non-profit in Holyoke that provides free tutoring and mentoring to children in need.

Tons of of children got to show off their own businesses on Saturday in Springfield. They set up tables with their products at Kenefick Park as part of the Children’s Business Fair. This served as an opportunity for the children to sell items at a one-day marketplace. The goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders.

While kids head back to school this week, the future of one Chicopee school remains in question...A community meeting was to discuss the potential remodeling of Anna E. Barry Elementary School, which requires significant mechanical and electrical repairs. The meeting also addressed the possibility of relocating the school to Garrity Grove Park. A change in traffic patterns and increased property taxes was among the biggest concerns

Springfield Police Department as using back to school to urges drivers to put phones down, as the roads will get busier for the next nine months, as 20,000 students head back in Springfield alone. They're also reminding drivers to follow school zone speed limits, and to never pass a bus that has it's stop sign out.

Springfield’s Union Station will now have a bigger law enforcement presence in an effort to make you safer. Yesterday, the city launched the ‘safe travels initiative and task force’, a partnership between police, the sheriff’s office, and Amtrak. Uniformed officers will be throughout the main concourse, busway, parking lot, and parking garage.

As kids and families head back to school, police in Western Mass are reminding you about bike and helmet safety. For children biking to school police advise to avoid using headphones while riding, follow traffic signals, ride in the same direction as traffic, and use hand signals when turning, while also wearing bright clothing

40 years is a long time, and after 40 years, all 13 locations of Smithland Pet & Garden Center will close. The company originally known as myAgway and Dave’s Soda and Pet City said this decision was difficult but necessary. They have locations in both western Massachusetts and across Connecticut, but there's no public timetable for the closure