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If you or someone you know could use a little extra help putting food on the table right now, we’ve got some resources that might make things a bit easier. The organizations below have been preparing to be able to make sure you do not need to go hungry. We’re here to remind you — you’re not alone, and there’s hope and help right here in our community.

Police in Springfield continued their efforts to keep city streets clean with their Quality-of-Life Park and Walk patrols. Officers were in the area of Kensington School on Wednesday and issued 64 ordinance tickets, as well as 2 parking tickets for various violations. Members of the city’s code enforcement handed out an additional 34 tickets

The rumble of large machinery, whine of chain saws and chopping of machetes echoed through communities across the northern Caribbean on Thursday as they dug out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa and surveyed the damage left behind. Emergency relief flights were landing at Jamaica’s main international airport as crews distributed water, medicine and other basic supplies, while helicopters dropped food

The Gandara Center celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated outpatient behavioral health clinic in Springfield, thanks to a $600,000 grant. This development is aimed at enhancing behavioral health services for the Hispanic community in Springfield.

Perhaps you've heard about Convoy of Hope's efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa....and we have a banner at the q 997 dot com linking to their site if you want to help out...but local efforts are underway as well. Many people here are preparing shipments of canned food to help those in need after the storm. A Jamaican restaurant in Springfield "The Talk of the Town" is helping lead efforts

With the delays in SNAP benefits, the United Way of Pioneer Valley (UWPV) is expanding its direct service efforts to meet the surge in local demand. The organization announced this week that it is providing emergency food through two community pantries in Springfield and Holyoke, in addition to more than 27 partner agencies operating micro-pantries across the region.

Hard to believe but it has been 14 years since the historic October 2011 snowstorm in Massachusetts. The snowstorm cut power to thousands of residents for several days and close to a week in some spots, and over a foot of snow blanketed the area. The storm resulted in major tree damage and shortages of food and gas. It stands as the most significant October snowstorm since records began in Chicopee in the 1940s.

Fire officials in Western Mass held a press conference on Wednesday, urging you to check your smoke detectors, as many may be nearing the end of their lifespan. State and local fire officials warned that smoke alarms installed in 2015, which are required by Massachusetts fire code to have a sealed 10-year battery life, are approaching the end of their usefulness

A public forum was held in Springfield on Wednesday night for municipal candidates ahead of the upcoming elections. The event provided candidates with a platform to address voters and discuss key city issues. City elections are scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th.

orest Park transformed into a glowing fall wonderland last night for the ‘Pumpkin Stroll After Dark,’ bringing joy to families with nearly 250 flickering jack-o-lanterns. The event, hosted by Mayor Domenic Sarno and the Springfield Parks Department, offers a festive experience with apple cider and doughnuts, running nightly from 5 to 8 PM until October 31st.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Cuba early this morning, after slamming through Jamaica yesterday. The storm caused widespread damage in Jamaica to infrastructure and cut internet access for most people. It hit the island as one of the strongest Category 5 storms on record, at one stage packing 185 m.p.h. winds. It's still too early to full assess damages and potential loss of life

An initial new Springfield Courthouse rendering is out, giving the people of Springfield an idea of what it could look like. The most significant design is a custom two-story translucent glass art wall, paying homage to the rich historic past of the “City of Firsts,” while highlighting the importance of the judicial system in our community.

The Hampden County Sheriff’s Office held its annual appreciation dinner and awards ceremony, recognizing those who contribute to community safety efforts. They highlighted the Holyoke Safe Neighborhood Initiative, which has been credited with a significant reduction in crime, with a report indicating a 48 percent decline in simple assaults in Holyoke and Chicopee between 2017 and 2021.

The Springfield Rescue Mission is preparing for an increased demand for food assistance as the government shutdown continues to affect services. They're also looking to expand their Operation Sunshine mobile feeding unit from three to five days a week. If benefits end at the end of the week, the Mission has a free breakfast public breakfast and lunch each day

Eversource customers are raising concerns about costs when it comes to opting out of a smart meter and reverting to the original. Eversource is in the beginning stages of putting a smart meter at every single customer’s home and business, but choosing to opt out would bring a $34 add on monthly fee

Gas prices in Springfield have dropped to an average of $2.86 per gallon, marking a slight decrease over the past week. The average price of gas in Springfield is now 10.1 cents lower than a month ago and 3.2 cents lower than a year ago. The national average however, has gone up

Grant Funding is coming to several Western Mass towns to enhance open space, build parks, and increase outdoor access. The money will support the creation of new walking trails, protection of forests and wetlands, and construction of neighborhood parks. Local communities on the list include Holyoke, West Springfield and Monson

Several people dedicated to volunteering and public service in Springfield were honored last night for their commitment to the city. During the ceremony, officials highlighted the importance of supporting neighborhoods, parks, youth, and seniors, calling the volunteers a lifeline and emphasizing their role in providing a voice for the needs of the people in Springfield.

As their season rolls on, the Springfield Thunderbirds donated various supplies to Springfield Public Schools yesterday. Donations went to Daniel B. Brunton school and Mary M. Lynch school, including items such as notebooks, folders, and gym equipment. Kids were also visited by none other than Boomer the mascot

A Holyoke bus driver has been injured and could use your prayers after crashing into a telephone poll. It happened at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Northampton Street. The bus driver was the only one on the bus at that time, so no children were hurt

Springfield Police say a 13-year-old boy has been arrested, accused of hitting five vehicles, including a police cruiser, while driving a stolen car Thursday. Police said the teen was speeding through Boston Road and Harvey Street shortly after 1 p.m. when the teen hit the cruiser’s side view mirror, before hitting more cars at the intersection of Berkshire Ave and Bay St

HCC hosted the ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s,‘ drawing over 1,200 participants to support Alzheimer’s care and research. Each walker got some promise garden flowers, each color representing a connection to Alzheimer’s, with orange symbolizing support for the cause and vision. The walk looked to raise $242,000

Springfield is set to host its inaugural ‘Pumpkin Stroll After Dark’ event on October 29th and 31st at Forest Park, featuring hundreds of carved pumpkins. The event will showcase pumpkins carved by local high school students and seniors. The event will run from 5 to 8 p.m. on both days, with a complimentary shuttle service available from the parking area to the Aquatic Gardens.

Holyoke Medical Center announced the expansion of services at its Springfield Outpatient Center to include Walk-In Care, Family Medicine, and Podiatry, with additional diagnostic and imaging services on the way. The new HMC Walk-In Care office in Springfield will offer same-day treatment for non-emergency conditions, including sore throat, fever, aches and pains, and seasonal allergies.

You'll be seeing more E-Bikes on the road...Springfield leaders celebrated the opening of a new Valley Bike station at Myrtle Park in Indian Orchard on Friday. There are now 100 e-bikes located at 19 different stations across Springfield. Springfield is also the first city in the program to use the brand-new drop e-bikes and stations which are lighter, more comfortable, have a longer range, are more durable, and ride smoother than other e-bikes in the program.

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