Brad Shepard Today

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Court reverses Bennett Walsh’s Holyoke Soldiers’ Home firing.
Longmeadow’s Jeff Greim of Jeff’s Granola wins a prestigious business award.
Mark Auerbach’s ArtsBeat report.
Mayor Sarno and other city officials announce completion of the “Six Corners Project.”
Complaint filed for suspect in the latest Black Lives Matter mural vandalism.
JetBlue announces 4 new routes for Bradley International.
Dunkin’ has freebees for you on “National Dunkin’ Day,” September 29.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Autumn begins.
Wildfire smoke in the air.
Court Street Black Lives Matter mural defaced. Again.
Mayor and city officials announce completion of Six Corners Project.
Western Mass. gas prices are down.
UMass athletics announce a limited number of football games for the Fall!
State is pressuring some local school districts to return students to classrooms.
Interskate 91 South opens facility for remote learning.
Local Chicopee community and brewery honors a fallen police officer.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, September 21, 2020

Springfield Museums presents “Lunchtime Lectures”- virtually.
Native American Heritage Month highlighted in Springfield.
Allergy season is still with us.
Trinity Health Of New England reports a “cyber attack”
Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District student diagnosed with COVID-19.
Springfield courts reopen and face challenges.
Holyoke Boys & Girls Club boosts services to families.
Springfield Day celebration of first responders.
Easthampton designates mandatory mask zones.
New Easthampton bike lane dedicated.
“Neighbors Helping Neighbors” in Granby.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend, September 18, 2020

New CVS COVID-19 testing sites in Western Mass.
A Holyoke arcade has reopened.
Ryan Walsh on a dirt bike injury to a Springfield Police officer.
Mayor Sarno announces another reward in grant funding for increased services in the city.
Western Mass. farmers associate with Big Y for a new produce distribution center.
AAA says don’t hang your face mask on your rear view mirror.
The Mayor and other city officials announce some changes to the Police Force.
Governor Baker’s flu shot mandate for all students.
Amherst Town Manager makes two new appointments.

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, September 17, 2020

Autumn leaves!
Baystate Bloodmobile in Holyoke – blood is needed.
Court Street BLM mural is repaired; investigation continues.
Restaurant, hotel, and pouring establishment taxes due date extended.
East Longmeadow school year underway, in remote learning format.
Visitation at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home suspended due to employee COVID-19 diagnosis.
Agawam paramedics partner with school nurses.
DoorDash offers free Dunkin’ Munchkins!
Springfield notes Hispanic Heritage Month.
Press conference today with an update of Springfield Police Dept. changes.
Mayor Sarno asks to waive liquor license fees in Springfield.
Greenfield donates $70,000 to fit more of the town for outdoor dining.
Eversource uses helicopters to examine transmission lines.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Cool day in the summer!
Mayor Sarno is livid after vandalism to the BLM mural on Court Street.
Max Hartshorne on the North Shore and Cape Ann as a getaway destination.
Western Mass. real estate market is up… and down.
Springfield A&F Officer TJ Plante receives an award.
Amherst Police detective retires after 31 years on the force.
Mayor Sarno kicks off Gray House fundraiser at Hot Table in Springfield.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honors Springfield’s Parks and Rec Manager Pat Sullivan.
Mandatory water restrictions in Pittsfield begins today.
The fate of the Parade of the Big Balloons this year?
125-year-old locally owned business in Easthampton closing for good.
Eastfield Mall cancels “Mall-O-Ween” for this year.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Amherst Police’s comfort puppy, Winston, is on the job!
Mass. Pike lane reduction for the week.
ArtsBeat Reporter Mark Auerbach.
Election day mail-in ballots timeline.
Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood on city crime.
Easthampton reinstates certain fines, levies, and warrants previously suspended.
Brush and wildfire tri-state warning.
Unconventional school year up and running.
Northampton Mayor announces parking ban as “Shared Streets” project is terminated.
Amherst Town Manager hires college students to monitor compliance of mask use in the town.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, September 14, 2020

RIP former Holyoke mayor Marty Dunn.
Springfield mayor’s office announces Halloween restrictions for the city.
Springfield Halloween guidelines.
Springfield conducts “Phase 2” of adult use of marijuana.
Annual “Ride to Remember” has a smaller gathering this year.
Local team cleans and repairs headstones on veterans’ graves.
Dunkin’ offers “1 Dollar Coffee” on Pats game days.
Chicopee school suspends in-person learning until February.
Massachusetts COVID-19 stats.
Franklin’s Town Clerk resigns due to thousands of uncounted mail-in ballots.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend, September 11, 2020

911 thoughts.
911 stand out to support police at Boston Road, Springfield.
Railroad Museum of New England remains closed for the rest of their season.
Springfield Symphony’s “Reimagined 2020-2021 Season.”
Springfield’s tag sales are allowed to open, with certain limitations.
Smith College furloughs some 230 employees.
“Girls on the Run Western Mass.” 6th fall season! Volunteers are wanted!
Holyoke authorities note an EEE mosquito sample in the city.
Springfield’s September 11 Remembrance Ceremony.

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, September 10, 2020

Governor Baker credits Mayor Sarno with Springfield’s drop in COVID-19 transmissions.
United Way of Pioneer Valley distributes 2600 backpacks to needy students.
Big E beers and ciders served up at the Log Cabin.
Monson delays school opening.
Gray House is raising funds to “Fill the Plate” for Springfield.
Dakin Humane Society receives a Rachael Ray Grant.
Springfield Museums resumes its “Museums à la Carte” series.
Gill bus company offers a new high-tech cleaning process for their school buses this year.
Agawam City Council votes unanimously to leave its school mascot and colors unchanged.
Stop & Shop launches a back to school snack program.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Drought conditions.
Andy Yee on plans for a new restaurant at 13-31 Elm.
Jordan Goodman on mortgage help.
Gas prices were up – and now are going back down.
Ware Halloween Parade for this year – a drive-thru event.
MGM And the South End Community Center hand out school supplies.
The Mayor and other city officials tour the city’s economic projects.
Mercy Medical Center partners with Catholic Charities for the homeless.
Springfield holds its September 11 Remembrance Ceremony.
Holyoke Public Schools are collecting donated school supplies.
Eastfield Mall 99 Restaurant location closes for good.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Labor Day reflection.
South Hadley enjoys better COVID-19 news.
Mayor Sarno walked for “prayer and peace” last Saturday.
ArtsBeat reporter Mark Auerbach.
Trees showing some autumn colors.
West Springfield residents report scam calls.
This year’s Pulaski Parade in Northampton canceled.
Big E Cream Puffs are getting snapped up!
Minimum version of the Three County Fair going on in Northampton.
Armenian Festival in Springfield goes “drive-thru” this year.
Chicopee Teachers Union and School Committee cannot agree on how school will open.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday, Labor Day Weekend, September 4, 2020

Greenfield (I-91) traffic note.
The “Right To Repair” ballot question – with Mike Zabik of Mike’s Auto Service.
Harley-Davidson of Southampton announces it’s closing.
Westfield company charged with violation of the Clean Water Act.
Two homes in Ludlow hit by lightning; one catches fire.
Longmeadow Police successfully resolve a suicide attempt.
A spike in COVID-19 cases places one city at the highest risk in Western Mass.
STCC organization calls for the ouster of the president and vice-president of the institution.
Labor Day weekend in the year of the pandemic.

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, September 3, 2020

FEMA makes a donation to the Westfield Fire Department.
Urban League of Springfield distributes COVID-19 “goody bags” to seniors.
Amherst Police Dept. has a winner in their “Name the Comfort Dog” contest!
Adam Gomez is the first Latino senator in Massachusetts history.
Spirit Halloween store opens at the Holyoke Mall.
Amherst receives a grant that will be used to retrofit lighting.
Food Bank of Western Mass. makes September “Hunger Action Month.”
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory reopens!
Bowles Elementary School offers after-school programs for students.
Springfield Police Captain Phil Tarpey retires.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Mass. Primary – the day after.
Former State Senator Brian Lees.
RMV launches dedicated service hours for seniors.
Springfield Municipal Group and Zasko Productions “light up” Springfield.
Southampton girls raise funds for organizations with their smile masks!
Dakin Humane Society’s “Barks & Brews – at Home.”
COVID-19-positive employees shut down courthouses in both Springfield and Worcester.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Primary Day in Massachusetts: Billy Galvin predicts record turnout.
Overview: Markey-Kennedy, Neal-Morse.
Primary ballot.
Springfield Mayor Sarno presents the city’s latest COVID-19 stats.
Mark Auerbach’s ArtsBeat report.
Holyoke Mayor’s office announces a 2nd COVID-19 testing site.
Western Mass. gas prices are up.
Bean Restaurant Group plans an “exciting dining venue” for the Court Square Project.
Mercy Medical Center emphasizes the importance of wearing your mask.
Suspicious object on Springfield Amtrak tracks.
Trash and debris dumped on Eastfield Mall property.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, August 31, 2020

Dakin Humane Society offers “Drive Thru Pet Food Handout.”
Scam alert for Wales and Brimfield.
UMass Amherst Democrats apologize to the “Morse for Congress” campaign.
Sarno and Clapprood shoot hoops for “Unity in the Community.”
The Haymond Law Firm and the Moose Lodge assist Lorraine’s Food Kitchen.
Canceling BHOF enshrinement ceremony thought to be hurting local businesses.
Republican Senate candidate Shiva Ayyadurai campaigns in Springfield.
MGM Springfield celebrates its 3-year anniversary – and lays off 1000 workers.
Chicopee’s Lotus & Compass Boutique weathers the pandemic online.
Mercy Medical Center opens a new and enhanced version of its Breast Care Center.
Bob “The Bike Man” Charland does it again!

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend, August 28, 2020

Governor Baker announces that Springfield is now at its lowest risk for COVID-19.
Mayor Sarno announces the death of former Springfield Mayor William Sullivan.
Tony Cignoli remembers the late Mayor Sullivan.
Mayor Sarno and Congressman Neal announce the Elm Street Redevelopment project.
Pioneer Valley home sales are now up by nearly 3 percent.
Tax-free holiday weekend mall hours.
UMass furloughs 850 employees.
Regal Cinemas reopens in the MGM Casino.
Cartamundi is hiring!

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, August 27, 2020

Mayor Sarno pleased to announce NO new COVID-19 cases since Tuesday of this week.
Tax free weekend in the state – update.
Josh Bergeron at Giguere’s Used Appliances is ready for the tax free weekend.
Valley Bike Share offers free annual passes.
3 Northampton men face cockfighting charges.
Anthony Martignetti of Prince Spaghetti fame dies at 63.
Mayor Sarno marks the 100th anniversary of the right to vote for women.
Center School in Greenfield starts classes outside.
McDonald’s launches a new McNuggets flavor!