HOLYOKE—Two years after making history as the Paper City’s first Latino mayor, Josh Garcia has won reelection and upended city politics again. It was one of many surprises that ripped through the 413 Tuesday night, matching some of the energy, enthusiasm and, above all, change voters are demanding from this Commonwealth to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
SPRINGFIELD—Of the many races for ward seats on the City Council here, Ward 7 stands out a bit. The current occupant of the seat, Timothy Allen, was part of the original class of ward councilors elected in 2009. He has faced few opponents over the years and he has been in office ever since. Yet, the seat may also be the one where national agitation for generational change is most apparent.
For a moment in August, it seemed like the race for Springfield’s Ward 1 Council seat was over. The incumbent, Maria Perez, had just filed a suit against her now-former employer, the New North Citizens Council (NNCC), and her election opponent, Joesiah Gonzalez. Yet before the month was out, he was campaigning again and marched in Springfield’s Puerto Rican parade.
On Wednesday, a Hampden County jury delivered a significant victory to Darryl Moss, a former aide to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, that simultaneously rebuked his former boss. After a weeklong trial, the jury agreed that by firing Moss, Sarno, and by extension the city, had
SPRINGFIELD—The City Council digested a light agenda Monday, although one land use approval did stand out. Councilors’ approval was necessary to allow a large redevelopment of buildings at the corner of State and Main streets. McCaffery Interests, Inc., a developer based in Chicago, has plans to convert the group of buildings from commercial use to residential units.
Over the summer, the earth opened up and swallowed the only rail connection between Boston and Western Massachusetts. Technically, the track itself did not fall into the bowels of the earth. A sinkhole appeared along a stretch of Amtrak-owned track that connected Albany to points east, suspending rail service. It returns in December.
For the second time in as many reelections, Senator Ed Markey faces a rival from Massachusetts’s House delegation. Salem Congressman Seth Moulton announced Wednesday morning he is challenging Markey for their party’s nomination. Famous names—and, hopefully, global health crises—aside, the race has echoes of the
After appearances at several meetings, the GoNetSpeed requests are out the door. On Monday, the Springfield City Council approved 17 applications GoNetSpeed, an internet service provider, had filed for work that would affect city streets throughout the city. Fearing the company would only wire wealthier areas, the Council had delayed approval at least twice.
They’re not giving up yet.
On September 19 the parties attempting to restore the Environmental and Climate Justice Block Grant (ECJBG) filed an appeal with an appellate court in Washington. Some weeks before, a federal judge in district court dismissed the class action lawsuit, which the city of Springfield had joined.
UPDATED 10/8/25 1:11PM: To include clarification from the governor’s office on the staff changes. The name of a new staffer for Governor Maura Healey will sound familiar to some in the Lower Valley. Tuesday brought news that the governor’s new legislative director would be Thomas
