COVID-19: Four 'Red' Western Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates COVID-19: Four 'Red' Western Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates
Covid-19: Four 'Red' Western Mass Cities At High Risk, Town-By-Town Trends, Rates Keeping with the trend of declining COVID-19 infections, the Pioneer Valley has only 4 “red” communities - cities and towns with the highest risk of virus transmission. On Thursday, March 4, Massachusetts unveiled its latest weekly update on COVID-19 incidents by the municipality.  Red communities in Western Massachusetts for the week of March 4 are: Chicopee with a rate of 33.4, Hadley, 32 Ludlow, 33.4, and Springfield, 40.3. Springfield was the only city out of the four that was in the red but experienced a decline in COVID-19 incidents, according to state data. Statewide, the…
Two Fugitives Wanted On Out-of-State Murder Charges Discovered In Western Massachusetts Two Fugitives Wanted On Out-of-State Murder Charges Discovered In Western Massachusetts
Two Fugitives Wanted On Out-of-State Murder Charges Discovered In Western Massachusetts Police arrested two fugitives from justice recently discovered in Western Massachusetts and wanted on out-of-state murder charges. In separate incidents, police arrested Tyshawn Jordan, 19, and Jordon Register, 21, at locations in Springfield and Greenfield on warrants connected to homicides that happened in Hartford and South Carolina, Springfield Police said. Jordan, of Moore South Carolina, was arrested on Feb. 11 in a Fernbank Road home in Springfield around 6:30 a.m., police said. He was charged as being a fugitive from justice on a court warrant, police said, in connection to a homici…
How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update
How Much Ice Did You Get? Local Accumulation and Power Outage Update Ice covered much of Central and Western Massachusetts Tuesday, Feb. 16, morning, creating dangerous road conditions, but few power outages. The ice is thickest in the Berkshires where 0.21-0.23 inches of ice has accumulated, according to the National Weather Service. In Springfield and Worcester, 0.5-0.6 inches of ice accumulated overnight. Northward, in Greenfield and Fitchburg, ice accumulation was between 0.17 and 0.21 inches. About 300 of Eversource's hundreds of thousands of customers lost power momentarily and sections of Westfield were also without power for about an hour st…
COVID-19: Drivers Willing To Pay Seniors $275, $100 To Cut Vaccine Line Via 'Companion' Clause COVID-19: Drivers Willing To Pay Seniors $275, $100 To Cut Vaccine Line Via 'Companion' Clause
Covid-19: Drivers Willing To Pay Seniors $275, $100 To Cut Vaccine Line Via 'Companion' Clause People seeking to get the COVID-19 vaccine early are looking to make quick friends with people ages 75 and up according to recently spotted Craigslist ads. As of Thursday, Feb. 12, people who accompany Massachusetts residents ages 75 and older to get their COVID-19 vaccinations can also be vaccinated at the same time. Lawmakers are scrambling to close this loophole, according to the Boston Globe. Some people are using this companion clause as an opportunity to skip ahead in the vaccination line.  The COVID-19 vaccine is being doled out in several phases with medical frontline worker…
COVID-19 Incidents Shoot Up In 3 Pioneer Valley Communities - Town-By-Town Trends and Rates COVID-19 Incidents Shoot Up In 3 Pioneer Valley Communities - Town-By-Town Trends and Rates
Covid-19 Incidents Shoot Up In 3 Pioneer Valley Communities - Town-By-Town Trends and Rates The COVID-19 incident rate shot up dramatically in Amherst where UMass is attempting to tamp down on the virus’s spread. The daily average COVID-19 rate in Amherst per 100,000 people was 26.6 last week, Feb. 4. As of Thursday, Feb. 11, Amherst’s COVID-19 rate is 78.8. Meanwhile, daily COVID-19 new incident rates also went up in two more of the Pioneer Valley’s largest communities - Easthampton and Northampton. On Thursday, Feb. 11, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the weekly town-by-town COVID-19 rate report. The numbers showed declining cases in nearly all of the Pio…
COVID-19: Cases Skyrocket In Amherst As UMass Reigns In Partying, Shuts Down Campus COVID-19: Cases Skyrocket In Amherst As UMass Reigns In Partying, Shuts Down Campus
Covid-19: Cases Skyrocket In Amherst As UMass Reigns In Partying, Shuts Down Campus The COVID-19 incident rate shot up dramatically in Amherst where UMass is attempting to tamp down on the virus’s spread. The daily average COVID-19 rate in Amherst per 100,000 people was 26.6 last week, Feb. 4. As of Thursday, Feb. 11, Amherst’s COVID-19 rate is 78.8. The uptick in infections comes on the heels of the University of Massachusetts Amherst shutting down its campus to stop the virus’ spread. The roughly 13,000-member student body has been asked to self-quarantine. A spike in COVID-19 cases in Amherst has been linked to one or more “massive” frat parties thrown over the Feb. 6 w…
Who Got The Most Snow? Snowfall Totals In Central, Western, Berkshire, MA Who Got The Most Snow? Snowfall Totals In Central, Western, Berkshire, MA
Who Got The Most Snow? Snowfall Totals In Central, Western, Berkshire, MA A passing Nor'Easter left about 3-17 inches of snow across the region with snowfall totals varying greatly in communities all over Central or Western Massachusetts. The National Weather Service has put a winter weather advisory into place until Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 4 p.m. Before the late afternoon, people can expect to see light snow showers and pockets of freezing drizzle. A glaze of ice developing on top of the snow is possible. Wind gusts may reach as fast as 40 mph. Below are snowfall totals from the Monday, Feb. 1 winter storm. The totals are reported as inches are as of 8 a.m. Tuesday,…
Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA
Updated Snowfall Forecast - Up To 15 Inches Predicted For Parts Of Western, Central MA When this Nor’easter is over, some communities in Central and Western Massachusetts are expected to be covered in more than 1 foot of snow. A Winter Storm Warning by the National Weather Service is in effect until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Heavy snow is expected with total snow accumulations of 7 to 15 inches and winds gusting as high as 45 mph. The communities that are expected to see the most snow are across the Worcester Hills and the east slopes of the Berkshires. The following are forecast snowfall totals including the smallest amount predicted, the most likely amount to fall…
COVID-19 Cases Spike In 2 School Districts; See District-By-District Incident Rates COVID-19 Cases Spike In 2 School Districts; See District-By-District Incident Rates
Covid-19 Cases Spike In 2 School Districts; See District-By-District Incident Rates Two local school districts experienced COVID-19 flare-ups over the last week, according to the most recent state data. On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released how many COVID-19 incidents were reported by students and staff from Jan. 21-27. Most of the Central and Western Massachusetts, as well as the Berkshires, had school districts where no COVID-19 incidents were reported that week. However, Shrewsbury and Hampden-Wilbraham school districts each reported 12-15 students and faculty that had become il…
COVID-19: How Many Miles Will You Travel To Get Vaccinated? Check This Map COVID-19: How Many Miles Will You Travel To Get Vaccinated? Check This Map
Covid-19: How Many Miles Will You Travel To Get Vaccinated? Check This Map A new map of where you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Massachusetts shows 20 locations in Central and Western Massachusetts. If you’re eligible to get a vaccine, Mass.gov has created an interactive map of vaccination sites you can use to learn more about the facilities and how to book appointments.  It appears that most people live within 10-12 miles of a vaccination center, but for the more far-flung communities, including North Adams and Sutton, the trek could be 20 miles or more. The closest vaccination center to Williamstown, which is located in the most northwest…
Nearly 80 Grams Of Crack, Cocaine Seized Following I-91 Chase Nearly 80 Grams Of Crack, Cocaine Seized Following I-91 Chase
Nearly 80 Grams Of Crack, Cocaine Seized Following I-91 Chase A speeding Kia led to a recent, major drug bust in Franklin County’s only city. On Thursday, Jan. 21, around 7 p.m., State Police Troopers patrolling Route 91 in Greenfield observed a gray Kia sedan allegedly making numerous marked lanes violations while speeding, police said. Troopers flicked on their emergency lights and sirens to get the Kia to pull over, but the vehicle allegedly accelerated and failed to stop for the officers, police said. Shortly after the chase began, the troopers dropped it and alerted area police departments to the vehicle’s description and whereabouts. Although …
What's The Best Sandwich In MA? Each State's Most Iconic Sandwich What's The Best Sandwich In MA? Each State's Most Iconic Sandwich
What's The Best Sandwich In MA? Each State's Most Iconic Sandwich In a celebration of lunch, Food & Wine magazine has come out with a list of the best sandiwches in every state. And, in a move that supports the list’s acumen, the Fluffernutter was not chosen as THE sandwich of Massachusetts. Can you guess what the top sandwich in Massachusetts is? What makes a sandwich the “best” in each state, according to Food & Wine, is how iconic the food is. Visual appeal, trends, and availability were not considered. Also not allowed on the list: burgers, hotdogs, burritos, tacos, and barbecue. Sandwich legends only, the magazine said. New England is known…