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Michael Ballway on Muck Rack

Michael Ballway

West Springfield
As seen in: The Westfield News, Yahoo Sports, Yahoo, El Pueblo Latino, MassLive, The Republican (Springfield, MA), Government Technology, Cherokee Tribune Ledger-News, The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA)
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Hendrickson announces bid for House seat, takes aim at GOP incumbent, Dem leadership

Hendrickson announces bid for House seat, takes aim at GOP incumbent, Dem leadership

MassLive.com — The battle lines in politics aren’t Republican versus Democrat, candidate Thomas F. Hendrickson told his supporters on Tuesday. It’s ordinary folks against “billionaires, corporations and corrupt politicians.”
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Councilor’s reference to ‘radical, left-liberal’ cities unsettles some constituents

Councilor’s reference to ‘radical, left-liberal’ cities unsettles some constituents

MassLive.com — George Bitzas, a member of Agawam’s City Council for nearly four decades, says he didn’t say the things that made him a target of online scorn and public rebukes this month. This week, he assailed “false accusations.”
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Agawam incumbents, newcomers celebrate wins on Election Day

Agawam incumbents, newcomers celebrate wins on Election Day

MassLive.com — There were smiles on most of the faces as elected officials capped off Election Day with a buffet at E.B.’s Restaurant. Two of the hosts — Edward P. Borgatti and Shelley M. Borgatti-Reed — were celebrating the news that they were among the top vote-getters in the Nov. 4 town election in Agawam.
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Holyoke Mall will reopen today after Friday shooting; suspect was shot in leg by police

Holyoke Mall will reopen today after Friday shooting; suspect was shot in leg by police

MassLive.com — The region’s largest shopping center was evacuated Friday evening after police exchanged gunfire with an alleged shoplifter, but officials have cleared the Holyoke Mall for reopening today.
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Gov. Healey at Mount Holyoke: ‘This is a moment that clarifies our values’

Gov. Healey at Mount Holyoke: ‘This is a moment that clarifies our values’

MassLive.com — Massachusetts, like the graduates of Mount Holyoke College over the past 188 years, will stand for science, democracy and inclusion, Gov. Maura T. Healey said in a commencement address Sunday.
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‘Tough act to follow’: Catholics remember pope’s humble example at Mass

‘Tough act to follow’: Catholics remember pope’s humble example at Mass

MassLive.com — Catholics on Saturday mourned Pope Francis as a leader of outstanding faith and humility.
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Battery storage facility, rules planned for Agawam

Battery storage facility, rules planned for Agawam

MassLive.com — New Leaf's battery site would occupy about 1 acre and consist of batteries in six containers each 9.5 feet tall, 8 feet wide and 20 feet long
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Retailers convince West Springfield to abandon nicotine pouch ban

Retailers convince West Springfield to abandon nicotine pouch ban

MassLive.com — Board of Health members said there had been two public hearings on the proposed changes last year, and nobody had shown up to oppose them
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Diners brave cold at Hot Table for Springfield Rescue Mission fundraiser

Diners brave cold at Hot Table for Springfield Rescue Mission fundraiser

MassLive.com — On Jan. 22, the Hot Table location at Tower Square in Springfield served free lunches of a panini, hot soup and a milkshake. The catch: Diners had to eat outdoors on the Main Street patio
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More than speed humps sought on West Springfield's Circle Drive - The Reminder

More than speed humps sought on West Springfield's Circle Drive - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Fixing the potholes on Circle Drive has only made the speeding problem worse, so the town is adding a few bumps back in. The neighborhood is the latest street approved by the Town Council to receive speed humps. But at a Sept.
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West Springfield clerk reassures voters about fraud - The Reminder

West Springfield clerk reassures voters about fraud - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Voters should feel confident that their votes are being counted, the town clerk said recently in response to comments at a Town Council meeting. "We take voter fraud very seriously," Town Clerk Otto Frizzell said. "In my tenure, we haven't had any substantiated issues [or] reports of voter fraud."
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Westfield art gallery seeks submissions for 'Dog Days of Summer' photo exhibit

Westfield art gallery seeks submissions for 'Dog Days of Summer' photo exhibit

MassLive.com — Westfield on Weekends is hosting the "Dog Days of Summer," an art installation celebrating mankind's most faithful animal companion.
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Tickets available as big motocross race rides into Southwick - The Reminder

Tickets available as big motocross race rides into Southwick - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — SOUTHWICK - Some of the biggest names in off-road motorcycling will test their mettle at Southwick's storied motocross track on Saturday, June 29, as the AMA Pro Motocross Championship visits the Wick 338 for the Crestview Construction Southwick National. "The Sandbox," as the track is affectionately known, is nestled amid the trees behind Southwick Regional [...]
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Council votes unanimously for $11M boost to West Springfield fiber - The Reminder

Council votes unanimously for $11M boost to West Springfield fiber - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Despite the billboard, the mailers and the warnings of "false promises" and "blank checks," town councilors on June 17 voted unanimously to borrow $11 million to continue building a municipal fiber-optic network.
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West Springfield council cuts $1M from schools to reduce taxes - The Reminder

West Springfield council cuts $1M from schools to reduce taxes - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Councilors cut more than $1 million from the mayor's proposed town budget on June 3, most of it from the School Department. After rejecting a $1.6 million cut proposed by Town Councilor Daniel O'Brien, the council agreed to a series of line-item reductions offered by Councilor Anthony DiStefano.
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Sen. recalls fallen comrades at West Springfield Memorial Day - The Reminder

Sen. recalls fallen comrades at West Springfield Memorial Day - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Memorial Day started as a way to remember those who died in the Civil War. But for state Sen. John Velis, the commemoration brings to mind much more recent, and much more personal, losses.
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Cellphone pouch system at West Springfield HS will begin after summer - The Reminder

Cellphone pouch system at West Springfield HS will begin after summer - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Cellphone pouches will click shut at the high school starting this fall. West Springfield High School is now ready to implement the Yondr pouch system that the School Committee voted to fund in January, Principal Patrick Danby told the board on May 11.
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Irish Center in West Springfield seeks $2M to finish top floor - The Reminder

Irish Center in West Springfield seeks $2M to finish top floor - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Diners, drinkers, rugby teams, small club meetings and musicians from across the ocean playing intimate concerts, they all come to Morgan Road.
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West Springfield council votes 6-3 to take 1st step to new Fausey - The Reminder

West Springfield council votes 6-3 to take 1st step to new Fausey - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - For three Town Council members considering plans to build a new elementary school, the question was "why rush," especially as the planning process will take years. But for a majority of the Town Council, the response was: Why wait longer than necessary?
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Westfield boards looking at reopening Wyben one-room schoolhouse as museum

Westfield boards looking at reopening Wyben one-room schoolhouse as museum

MassLive.com — All in favor of saving Westfield's last remaining one-room schoolhouse? Historical commissioners hope they can get a few hands raised Thursday night.
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West Springfield councilors grill mayor on new school plans - The Reminder

West Springfield councilors grill mayor on new school plans - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Mayor William Reichelt made his case for a new school, and members of the Town Council pushed back with several questions at a recent meeting. Councilors cast a critical eye on the need to replace the town's 1950s and '60s schools, the taxpayers' willingness to shoulder another major construction bond, and their [...]
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Unanimous vote saves West Springfield's Mittineague School for next year - The Reminder

Unanimous vote saves West Springfield's Mittineague School for next year - The Reminder

The Reminder (East Longmeadow, MA) — WEST SPRINGFIELD - Mittineague School will stay open, for now, the School Committee recently confirmed in a largely symbolic vote. But the committee also voted to start what could be a decade-long process of building a new elementary school in town, likely replacing Fausey School and John Ashley Kindergarten.
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'Westfield River' selected as name for elementary school under construction

'Westfield River' selected as name for elementary school under construction

MassLive.com — School Committee members chose a name for Westfield River Elementary School. They also agreed it isn't yet time to start on a new high school.
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Westfield School Committee may delay moving pre-K to accommodate Head Start

Westfield School Committee may delay moving pre-K to accommodate Head Start

MassLive.com — Despite a School Committee vote last year, Westfield's Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center may be staying put a year or two longer.
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