Apr 29, 2021
Another Springfield church has been hit by criminal activity.
Someone spray-painted over the sign of the Canaan Baptist Church of Christ on Hobart Street sometime Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.
Mayor Domenic Sarno called the vandalism hateful and said the police department is investigating.
The Pastor of the Church The Reverend Dr WC Watson says when he got the call of the incident it was like a gut punch . He wants to know what happened and will hold off on further comment until all the facts are in.
3:45
The largest annual gathering of business and government leaders in western Massachusetts – the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Outlook event – was held virtually today. The speakers touched on legislative priorities on Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill.
The Speaker of the Massachusetts House Ron Mariano said he is hopeful a way can be found to reduce a surcharge that has resulted in many businesses seeing a huge increase in their assessment for unemployment insurance.
As many of you, I was frustrated and surprised to learn of the increases in the solvency fund rates, Mariano said in remarks to the Chamber event.
Last month, state lawmakers authorized borrowing to shore up the state’s unemployment fund that faced a $4 billion deficit and they froze the basic unemployment tax rate. But legislators did not change the solvency assessment which is used to pay benefits to workers let go from businesses that h
2:25
There is a proposal in Springfield, Massachusetts to combat the problem of illegal dirt bikes by shutting off the fuel supply.
An ordinance being considered by the Springfield City Council would make it illegal for a gas station to sell fuel for an off-highway vehicle such as a dirt bike, mini-cycle, or all-terrain vehicle if it is driven up to the pumps.
The proposal by City Councilor Orlando Ramos is another attempt to crack down on people riding dirt bikes, frequently in groups, illegally on city streets.
This is not going to solve the issue altogether, said Ramos. Our goal is to just make it harder for these illegal dirt bikes to operate.
3:45
Springfield’s health department this week will launch a public information campaign featuring television ads, social media influencers, and billboards with messages that encourage people – especially those age 30 and under to get vaccinated.
This is an all out effort to reduce vaccine hesitancy, said Springfield Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris.
She said another strategy to overcome vaccine hesitancy is to make the process of getting a shot more convenient by dispensing the vaccine at neighborhood-based clinics.
(The city) is trying to put clinics in places where we believe the residents are anxious and wanting and needing vaccines, Caulton-Harris said.
Springfield Chamber Outlook lunch goes virtual; ABC’s Ann Compton will give keynote speech
Updated 5:56 AM;
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SPRINGFIELD The Springfield Regional Chamber will conduct a virtual Outlook lunch this year, moving an event that normally takes place in a huge ballroom into the online realm.
The event is 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 28. The chamber asks people to visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com to register.
Tickets cost $39.95 for Springfield Regional Chamber members and $49.95 for general admission. Enterprise-level tickets, with six access passes, are available for $179 for members and $225 for nonmembers.
Outlook generally brings together more than 500 business leaders to network and hear from expert speakers on local, state and federal issues. This year’s online event already has about 250 registrants, said Nancy Creed, president of the Springfield Regional Chamber.