NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Two community members have been recognized for their service to the Forbes Library. Each year Forbes Library in Northampton selects two people who go above and beyond. In 1970 Trustee Stan Sherer joined the team as a photographer and recently made a film about the library's history. Joseph Twarog is a Trustee who works with staff to better policies and preserve the library, "I love this library, to put it simply," says Sherer. "It's a treasure for the community, and um I will continue to offer my services." Twarog adds, "It's been a good 12 years, so they just expan ..read more

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The average Springfield homeowner is expected to see an increase in their water and sewer bills. Residents can expect their monthly bills to go up to $7.99, starting July 1st. This is to support the annual costs of delivering essential water and wastewater services and the ongoing Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Program. The program includes over 20 critical water and wastewater infrastructure upgrade projects, including the new West Parish Water Treatment Plant. This is due to the current plant not meeting modern drinking water regulations. "Our existin ..read more

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A wine and beer garden in Springfield is bringing the community together. Thursday evening, the Springfield Business Improvement District and Loophole Brewing hosted the event. It took place at the Duryea Way Wine and Beer Garden. Organizers say it's a great way for people to check out new businesses in the area. The wine and beer garden will be open every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. through Halloween. Jeff Goulet with Loophole Brewing told 22News, "It's easy to be negative about our city but when you hear people coming to the city and just really loving it that's som ..read more

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Massachusetts marks a new milestone, 20 Years ago The Bay State became the first in the country to recognize same-sex marriage. To celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and pride month, retired Justice Roderick Ireland visited the city of Amherst. Justice Ireland was one of the four voting with the majority. He told 22News, "And now I think the majority of the globe accepts the idea that people have the right to marry a person that they love regardless of what gender." A panel discussion was held following Justice Ireland speech to the community. Concerns about the future of ..read more

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The Walk in their Shoes Foundation in collaboration with MassHire Holyoke's Pillars of the Community Workforce is excited to kick off the 3rd annual shoe giveaway on Saturday. The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 15th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., supports the community by giving away essential footwear to men, women, and children who are in need. Photo courtesy of MassHire Holyoke An array of food, free haircuts, face painting, bounce houses, and a free ice cream bar are just some of the activities to be featured. Local organizations will be tabling and offering resou ..read more

BOSTON (WWLP) - Governor Healey celebrated Women Veterans Recognition Day at the State House in Boston Thursday morning. New guidance offers key details of family shelter limits Wednesday was Women Veterans Recognition Day and Governor Healey and guests celebrated at a ceremony at the State House in Boston. This ceremony recognized the unique sacrifices and challenges women Veterans face, including high rates of readjustment issues and posttraumatic stress disorder. The Deborah Sampson Award, named after a Revolutionary War soldier who disguised herself as a man to serve, was presented to Mary ..read more

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Registration for Hooplandia, the Northeast's Ultimate 3x3 Basketball Tournament and Festival ends Friday at midnight. The tournament, presented by the Eastern States Exposition and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, will take place June 21-23 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. Men and women of all ages can sign up for their team of four to play in celebration of the spirit of basketball. ******* told 22News, "We're already at double the teams from last year, so we're thrilled with that turnout and we're hoping that it doubles again next ye ..read more

WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) - The Wilbraham Police Department in collaboration with the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District (HWRSD), is investigating an instance where a student allegedly ingested rubbing alcohol. A student allegedly ingested rubbing alcohol, and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District issued a statement regarding an active investigation with police on Thursday. In a statement shared with the HWRSD community from Superintendent of Schools John A. Provost, Ed.D, he states, "I want to assure you that student safety is our first priority...we are aware of a single insta ..read more

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - Thursday will be a mostly sunny day with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s before some thunderstorms head our way on Friday. Inspect your trees to prevent costly home storm damage The 22News Storm Team issued a Weather Alert for strong to severe thunderstorms likely on Friday, especially in the afternoon and evening. Live Radar Video: A look at how thunderstorms form There are three main ingredients you need for thunderstorm formation: moisture, unstable air, and some sort of lift in the atmosphere. It all seems complicated, but on a warm summer day, you already ha ..read more

BOSTON (SHNS) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday protecting access to medication abortion with mifepristone was a "no brainer" and "the obvious decision," Gov. Maura Healey said as she previewed more news to come next week on the state's stockpile of the drug. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote the decision for the unanimous court, declaring that while the plaintiffs challenging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's 2016 and 2021 expansions of access to mifepristone have "sincere legal, moral, ideological, and policy objections" to other people getting an abortion, they did not show that ..read more