Greta Jochem
Verified
As seen in:
The Republican (Springfield, MA),
MSN,
Bloomberg CityLab,
HuffPost,
NPR,
WIRED Magazine,
Boston Business Journal,
Flipboard,
Military.com,
Mother Jones,
Yahoo
and
Investigations editor at The Springfield Republican. she/her 🌈
Find me @gretajochem.bsky.social
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Greta Jochem
Officers tied to Shacoby Kenny death still working with prisoners at Boston jail, advocates say Original
The leading advocacy group for prisoners in Massachusetts is claiming Suffolk County correctional officers tied to the December death of Shacoby Kenny have continued to work directly with inmates, despite the Sheriff’s Department repeatedly asserting otherwise.
State suspends Springfield police officer Original
SPRINGFIELD — A city police officer was recently suspended by the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. Late last month, the commission voted to suspend Juan L. Cruz “upon determining that it is in the best interest of the health, safety, or welfare of the public,” the suspension order says. He is suspended until the commission makes a final decision. Why he is suspended is not clear. A commission spokesperson said she was unable to comment further on the case.
Public defender’s office suing state police for records of trooper’s Springfield traffic stop
The state public defender’s office filed a lawsuit Monday against the State Police saying it hasn’t been able to access records related to a trooper’s traffic stop in Springfield that led to him facing assault charges. Rebecca Jacobstein, an attorney with the Committee for Public Counsel Services, filed a public records request in July with the State Police asking for records about a January traffic stop made by State Police Sgt. Joel P. Daoust in Springfield.
Crece el rechazo a los lectores automatizados de las tablillas de matrícula
AGAWAM — Cuando Christine Rickmon se enteró de que algunas comunidades estaban cancelando sus contratos con Flock, una empresa que fabrica cámaras para rastrear las tablillas de matrículas, no pensó que el asunto afectara a su localidad. «Yo no dejaba de pensar: ‘me alegra tanto que Agawam no tenga algo así’», dijo ella. Entonces, Rickmon vio en Facebook una foto de una cámara Flock en Agawam. Las cámaras se habían instalado en marzo. «Hay una especie de sensación de traición», dijo ella.
Hampden DA appeals dismissal of assault case against state trooper
SPRINGFIELD — A state police sergeant charged with assaulting a woman at a traffic stop is no longer facing charges. But that could change after prosecutors filed a formal appeal. State Police Sgt. Joel P. Daoust was arraigned in April on charges including assault with a dangerous weapon after he was accused of using an “arm-bar takedown” and pepper spraying a woman he pulled over in January for traffic violations. Late last month, Springfield District Court Judge Michael E.
Governor’s Council rematch: Tara Jacobs, Michael Fenton vie for WMass seat
It was an upset in 2022 when North Adams resident Tara Jacobs won the primary race for Western Massachusetts’ seat on the Governor’s Council against three Hampden County lawyers. Now, Jacobs and Michael Fenton, who came in a close second in 2022, are facing off in a rematch at the Democratic primary on Sept. 1. What’s different this time? There’s not a wide field of candidates to split the vote, and Jacobs has nearly two terms in office under her belt.
Springfield leader fasts for 19 days over SNAP benefit cuts
SPRINGFIELD — Some broth on Friday morning was the only food Liz Wills-O'Gilvie had eaten in 19 days. That and regular glucose tablets to help with her hypoglycemia. After seeing more of her neighbors go hungry this summer, Wills-O'Gilvie, executive director of the Springfield Food Policy Council, stopped eating early this month to raise awareness about how federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had made it harder for people to access help.
Springfield leader fasts for 19 days over SNAP benefit cuts
SPRINGFIELD — Some broth on Friday morning was the only food Liz Wills-O’Gilvie had eaten in 19 days. That and regular glucose tablets to help with her hypoglycemia. After seeing more of her neighbors go hungry this summer, Wills-O’Gilvie, executive director of the Springfield Food Policy Council, stopped eating early this month to raise awareness about how federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) had made it harder for people to access help.
Pushback grows as more WMass communities using automated license plate readers
AGAWAM — When Christine Rickmon heard news about communities canceling their contracts with Flock, a company that makes cameras to track license plates, she didn’t think the issue applied to her town. “I kept thinking to myself, ‘I’m so glad Agawam doesn’t have something like this,’” she said. Then, Rickmon saw a picture of a Flock camera in Agawam on Facebook. The cameras had been installed in March. “There’s kind of a sense of betrayal,” she said.
Pushback grows as more WMass communities using automated license plate readers
AGAWAM — When Christine Rickmon heard news about communities canceling their contracts with Flock, a company that makes cameras to track license plates, she didn't think the issue applied to her town. "I kept thinking to myself, 'I'm so glad Agawam doesn't have something like this,'" she said. Then, Rickmon saw a picture of a Flock camera in Agawam on Facebook. The cameras had been installed in March. "There's kind of a sense of betrayal," she said.
How mental health clinicians help Springfield police respond to some 911 calls
Editor’s note: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. SPRINGFIELD — When her police radio blares, Michelle Cost jolts into action. Though she is based at the Springfield Police Department’s downtown substation on Dwight Street, she’s not a police officer.
Boston council urges sheriff to change guard leave policy, after homicide of Springfield man in custody
After the homicide of a Springfield man in a Suffolk County jail last year, the Boston City Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling on the sheriff’s department to adopt clear standards for guards’ administrative leave. Shacoby Kenny died in early December after a scrum with guards at the Suffolk County House of Correction, also known as South Bay. Last month, the state Office of the Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide.
Family of teen killed by car crash in WMass testifies for ‘Jesse’s Law’
Three years after Jesse Johansmeyer died, his family is left with a question. If witnesses had called 911 sooner, while he lay in the road struck by a truck, would the 19-year-old have survived? “No family should live with that question,” Willow Vandoloski, Johansmeyer’s sister, told lawmakers Friday. His family is working to make sure other people don’t have to.
He entered prison with a 2-year sentence. His family says medical neglect turned it into a death sentence
"Death Under Watch" is an ongoing series by MassLive and The Republican investigating deaths in Massachusetts prisons and jails. As Rolando Eloy Figueredo served a two-year prison sentence, his father offered him a seemingly simple piece of advice. "Just do your time, get out, and go on with your life," Marcos "Benjamin" Rosario recalled telling his son, who was incarcerated for domestic assault. Figueredo, 38, didn't make it out of state custody alive.
Family says man’s death from suspected meningitis exposes failures in Mass. prison healthcare
“Death Under Watch” is an ongoing series by MassLive and The Republican investigating deaths in Massachusetts prisons and jails. As Rolando Eloy Figueredo served a two-year prison sentence, his father offered him a seemingly simple piece of advice. “Just do your time, get out, and go on with your life,” Marcos “Benjamin” Rosario recalled telling his son, who was incarcerated for domestic assault. Figueredo, 38, didn’t make it out of state custody alive.
Boston city councilor: Officers tied to WMass inmate’s death should be put on leave Original
BOSTON — A Boston city councilor again is calling for the officers involved in the death of a jailed man last year to be placed on leave. Shacoby Kenny, a Springfield native, died in early December after a scrum with guards at the Suffolk County House of Correction, also known as South Bay. Last week, the state Office of the Medical Examiner ruled his death as a homicide.
Mass. makes it illegal for teachers, cops, coaches to have sex with teen minors Original
About a decade ago when N. turned 16, an educator in her Western Massachusetts school started a sexual relationship with her, she said. N., who requested anonymity to protect her privacy, was shocked when police later told her there was nothing they could do because she was 16 at the time. That will no longer be the case in Massachusetts after more than a decade of advocacy to change the law. This month, Gov.
RadSpringfield celebra una década de bicicletas económicas y reparaciones gratuitas en el centro de la ciudad
SPRINGFIELD — Sonaba música hispana alegre mientras Max Delacruz y Ray Enyong reparaban bicicletas una tarde de esta semana en RadSpringfield. El taller comunitario de bicicletas, que forma parte de Make-It Springfield, un espacio de creación situado en el centro de la ciudad, lleva una década ayudando a cubrir una necesidad al permitir que las personas accedan a un medio de transporte económico y saludable.
Lawsuit with Springfield student at forefront highlights longstanding problem of segregation in Mass. schools
In 1848, Benjamin Roberts filed a lawsuit after his daughter wasn’t allowed to attend any of the white schools near her Boston home. “Here we are 177 years later, still fighting this battle,” said Claire Galloway-Jones, an education consultant who is Roberts’ great-great-great granddaughter. “We must be transparent that educational equity is still not the experience of all students in the Commonwealth,” she said.
Shop marks decade of ‘bikes for the people’ in downtown Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Upbeat Spanish music played as Max Delacruz and Ray Enyong repaired bicycles one afternoon this week at RadSpringfield. The community bike shop, part of downtown makerspace Make-It Springfield, has for a decade helped fill a gap that enables people to obtain cheap and healthy transportation. The shop is one of the only places in the area where bicyclists can purchase bikes and get repairs done.
Springfield man arraigned after exchanging gunfire with police
Greta Jochem Mon, June 15, 2026 at 11:48 PM UTC 1 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. SPRINGFIELD — A city man has been charged with assault with intent to murder in connection with a shootout with police on Friday. Donte Davidson, 26, was arraigned in District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a slew of gun, firearm and assault charges.
Springfield man arraigned after exchanging gunfire with police
SPRINGFIELD — A city man has been charged with assault with intent to murder in connection with a shootout with police on Friday. Donte Davidson, 26, was arraigned in District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to a slew of gun, firearm and assault charges. On Friday night, city police responded to a 911 call about a stolen car on the 100th block of Massachusetts Avenue in the Upper Hill neighborhood.
Neighbors maintain this Springfield trail weaving through wetland and wood
SPRINGFIELD — You won’t find it marked on Google Maps. About a mile-long trail cuts through wetlands and tall ferns across the more than 50 acres of lush woods that sit nestled behind Nordica Street Community Farm and two schools in the Liberty Heights neighborhood. The trails, maintained by Todd Crosset and volunteers, are open to the public. “It’s fantastic,” Crosset said while walking on the trails on a recent afternoon.
30 from Northampton intervene in suit over divestment from Israel-linked companies Original
NORTHAMPTON — A group of 30 residents, most of them Jewish, formally filed in court Thursday to fight a lawsuit that seeks to throw out a City Council resolution that urges divestment from Israel. “The recent lawsuit seeks to impose a chilling effect on local movements for justice, and it must be ardently defended against,” Lois Ahrens, one of the proposed intervenors, said in a statement.
Residents credited with helping to keep Shutesbury post office from closing
SHUTESBURY — A rural post office in Franklin County that was slated for closing will stay open. The U.S. Postal Service announced last month it would shutter the Shutesbury post office. Town leaders and residents pushed back, holding a rally and contacting their legislators. Now, the U.S Postal Service says the Shutesbury location will stay open, according to U.S. Senator Ed Markey’s office. It is “a huge win for the community,” Markey said in a statement.
How loss of federal wetland protections could impact Mass.
In the eyes of the federal government, wetlands at Lawrence Swamp in Amherst may no longer be protected. The wetlands area is isolated, meaning it's not connected to a regularly flowing source of surface water, said Timothy Randhir, director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Wetlands like it across the state and country could soon lose federal protection under the Clean Water Act, a 1972 law that regulates pollution.
How loss of federal wetland protections could impact Mass.
In the eyes of the federal government, wetlands at Lawrence Swamp in Amherst may no longer be protected. The wetlands area is isolated, meaning it’s not connected to a regularly flowing source of surface water, said Timothy Randhir, director of the Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center and professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Wetlands like it across the state and country could soon lose federal protection under the Clean Water Act, a 1972 law that regulates pollution.
How loss of federal wetland protections could impact Mass.
14 hours ago "This is now a daily thing," Chris Hayes said in disbelief. MS NOW host Chris Hayes was flabbergasted by recent footage from an Oval Office briefing in which it appeared, to many, that President Donald Trump was nodding off. “I feel like I’m losing my mind! How is that the president of the United …
‘Time for the chaos to stop’: Mass. inspector general releases final report on sheriffs’ budget overspend
By Greta Jochem masslive.com SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The state Inspector General’s Office released its final report on sheriff spending after “historic” overspending last year raised alarm bells for legislators. “To put it in sheriffs’ terms, it’s a bit like the Wild West,” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said in a statement Monday.
Jeffrey MacDonald, accused of killing his wife, moved from psych hospital to Northampton jail Original
BELCHERTOWN — After undergoing a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital, Jeffrey MacDonald has been moved to the Hampshire County Jail while he awaits a trial on a murder charge. MacDonald, 36, of Wilbraham, is accused of killing his wife, Emma MacDonald, 31, at the Hotel UMass in late April. MacDonald appeared in Eastern Hampshire District Court on Tuesday for a hearing on his mental health evaluation.
‘Time for the chaos to stop’: Inspector general releases final report on sheriffs’ budget Original
SPRINGFIELD — The state Inspector General’s Office released its final report on sheriff spending after “historic” overspending last year raised alarm bells for legislators. “To put it in sheriffs’ terms, it’s a bit like the Wild West,” Inspector General Jeffrey S. Shapiro said in a statement Monday.
Una demanda alega segregación racial en las escuelas de Massachusetts
En las escuelas públicas de la ciudad de Springfield, aproximadamente el 86% de los estudiantes son negros o latinos, y la mayoría son de bajos ingresos. Esta composición demográfica contrasta marcadamente con la de los distritos escolares vecinos situados justo fuera de los límites de la ciudad en Longmeadow y Wilbraham, donde la mayoría de los estudiantes son blancos y menos de una cuarta parte son de bajos ingresos.
Number of homeless people stayed steady in WMass this year, as federal threats loom Original
HOLYOKE — At first glance, the numbers look promising. The state’s four western counties recorded a 46% drop in homelessness this year compared to last. But the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness is not applauding.
New app from Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts tracks local air quality Original
SPRINGFIELD — For years, the Springfield metro area has struggled with high asthma rates. In the past, it’s made the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s annual ranking of top asthma capitals in the nation. A new app from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts aims to help.
Springfield student lead plaintiff in lawsuit against the state alleging racial segregation in Mass. schools
SPRINGFIELD — In the city’s public schools, about 86% of students are Black or Latino and most are low-income. Those demographics are in stark contrast to neighboring school districts just outside the city limits in Longmeadow and Wilbraham, where the majority of students are white and less than a quarter are low-income. It’s one example cited in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that argues the state is violating its Constitution by racially segregating school districts.
Springfield losing its detox beds as Behavioral Health Network moves toward transitional treatment Original
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts will soon have fewer detox beds. Starting Thursday, Behavioral Health Network’s Carlson Recovery Center will no longer offer beds for acute detoxification, or treatment for substance use disorder that involves 24/7 medical supervision. It’s the only provider in the county offering the service, according to data from the state’s Department of Public Health.
‘A perennial problem’: Hampden County courts still struggle to find lawyers for poor defendants
SPRINGFIELD — Lawyers in Hampden County are regularly begged to take cases for clients who can’t afford an attorney. “SOMEONE..????? ANYONE..?????” reads the subject line of a Monday email from the Hampden County Lawyers for Justice, the nonprofit that organizes a panel of about 120 lawyers to represent low-income defendants.
‘It’s devastating’: Shutesbury post office set to close next month Original
SHUTESBURY — Shutesbury, a rural Franklin County town, will be without a post office after June 6. Town Administrator Hayley Bolton said she found out about the closure from a letter on the post office’s front door. “The town’s position is that we weren’t notified prior,” she said on Friday. “We weren’t given any options.” The letter says that the post office is temporarily closing because its lease expired two years ago.
Springfield community solar project getting billing help from Eversource
SPRINGFIELD — In Massachusetts, customers of community solar projects typically get two bills, one for their energy use and one from the solar project. A new program through Eversource will change that for several projects in the state, including one on Oak Street in Indian Orchard. The solar project, run since 2019 by the nonprofit Citizens Energy Corp., is for low-income residents. About 500 people have opted into the project, and they get a credit on their electricity bill for being part of it.
Springfield community solar project getting billing help from Eversource
SPRINGFIELD — In Massachusetts, customers of community solar projects typically get two bills, one for their energy use and one from the solar project. A new program through Eversource will change that for several projects in the state, including one on Oak Street in Indian Orchard. The solar project, run since 2019 by the nonprofit Citizens Energy Corp., is for low-income residents. About 500 people have opted into the project, and they get a credit on their electricity bill for being part of it.
Legal experts assail DOE probe of Smith College for admitting trans women
NORTHAMPTON — A federal probe of Smith College’s admittance of transgender women is both offensive and a misapplication of the law, local and national legal experts told The Republican on Tuesday.
Legal experts assail DOE probe of Smith College for admitting trans women
NORTHAMPTON — A federal probe of Smith College’s admittance of transgender women is both offensive and a misapplication of the law, local and national legal experts told The Republican on Tuesday.
Federal government probes Smith College over admissions policy
The Department of Education is examining whether the Northampton school's decade-old policy violates federal civil rights law.
Smith College faces federal probe for admitting transgender women
The federal government said Monday it is investigating whether Smith College’s policy of admitting transgender women violates federal law. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights said it opened a probe into the school “for admitting biological men and granting them access to women-only spaces.” It is investigating whether Smith’s policy violates Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in programs that receive federal dollars.
Department of Education investigating Smith College over its policy of admitting transgender women Original
NORTHAMPTON — The federal government said Monday it is investigating whether Smith College’s policy of admitting transgender women violates federal law. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights said it opened a probe into the school “for admitting biological men and granting them access to women-only spaces.” It is investigating whether Smith’s policy violates Title IX, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in programs that receive federal dollars.
One suspect arrested and another at large in Holyoke shooting
HOLYOKE — The man police say shot Robert Abreu last month is still at large, while another suspect has been charged in his murder. Delani Rodriguez, 21, was arraigned in late April in Holyoke District Court on a murder charge. Police are searching for Daniel Medina, 22, who they say pulled the trigger on the gun in the deadly shooting. On April 18, city police responded to report of a shooting near 139 Sargeant St. and found Abreu lying in the street.
One suspect arrested and another at large in Holyoke shooting
HOLYOKE — The man police say shot Robert Abreu last month is still at large, while another suspect has been charged in his murder. Delani Rodriguez, 21, was arraigned in late April in Holyoke District Court on a murder charge. Police are searching for Daniel Medina, 22, who they say pulled the trigger on the gun in the deadly shooting. On April 18, city police responded to report of a shooting near 139 Sargeant St. and found Abreu lying in the street.
After a Springfield man died in a Boston jail, his family waits for justice
“Death Under Watch” is an ongoing series by MassLive and The Republican investigating deaths in Massachusetts prisons and jails. Before he died, Shacoby Kenny was surrounded by a group of officers at the Suffolk County House of Correction. Witnesses say officers pinned Kenny down and hit him. He cried out that he could not breathe. That’s what a number of incarcerated people who saw the Dec.
Longmeadow attorney accused of misusing client funds, removed from state’s roster of lawyers Original
LONGMEADOW — After being accused of misusing client funds on multiple occasions, Longmeadow attorney Tyler Scott Kimball is no longer an active member of the Massachusetts bar. In March, the Board of Bar Overseers and Office of Bar Counsel filed a disciplinary case seeking his disbarment, according to state Supreme Judicial Court documents. Kimball then filed for disability inactive status, which was granted last week.
‘We all miss you’: Community mourns the violent death of Emma MacDonald at UMass campus hotel
AMHERST — Near a flower-adorned memorial, Emma MacDonald’s young daughter shared a message for her mom. “I love you and we all miss you,” she told a crowd gathered Wednesday outside the Campus Center and Hotel UMass where MacDonald, 31, was killed last week. Friends, family and University of Massachusetts Amherst staff come to pay their respects to Emma MacDonald outside the Hotel UMass on Wednesday. April 29, 2026.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Greta
Contact Greta, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack