Brad Shepard Today

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, April 2, 2020

New COVID-19 drug tested, showingpromise.

UMass Amherst student fireman promoted to full-time at the Amherst Fire Dept.

Gary Mayotte keeping the Village Food Mart in Hampden going strong.

A message from Chris Cignoli at the Springfield DPW.

Holyoke Soldiers Home update.

More Chicopee stores block off non-essential aisles.

Hands-free driving infractions are now  punishable by fines.

Some Springfield courthouses closed.

MGM Resorts International CEOs take pay cuts.

Springfield Police make 3 dirt bike arrests and confiscations.

Public service announcement: “Stay home!”

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Governor Baker extends shutdown through May 4, 2020.

Latest COVID-19 test stats from Mercy Medical Center.

Current precautions at Holyoke Soldiers Home.

Brimfield Flea Market canceled for May.

Columbia Gas sends out crews to homes in Chicopee to make safety inspections.

Hatfield confirms first positive COVID-19 case.

Walmart taking employees temperatures before every shift.

Mayor Sarno receives and answers an angry email from a  Springfield golfer.

Olive Garden in Springfield closes its doors for good.

Mayor Alex Morse discusses Holyoke Soldiers Home fatalities.

Governor Baker addresses Holyoke Soldiers Home.

United Way of Pioneer Valley donates 5000 meals to those in need.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Test statistics from Trinity Health of New England.

Longmeadow Police detective becomes the department’s first female sergeant.

An angry Mayor Sarno has a message for golfers defying lockdown rules.

Computer tech consultant David Raiche on the condition of the internet due to the epidemic.

Mark Auerbach reports on the state of the arts in the wake of the pandemic.

Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi has some important advice.

Chicopee Police Chief Jebb convalescing from open heart surgery.

Holyoke Soldiers Home receives all manner of blankets from Golden Years Home Care.

Chicopee Walmart enforces 200 person limit inside the store.

Holyoke Soldiers Home superintendent placed on administrative leave.

The Old Farmers Almanac says you can start your vegetable planting season – inside!

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, March 30, 2020

Treasury Secretary indicates when Americans should see checks from the stimulus.

Trinity Health of New England on COVID-19 testing statistics.

Mayor Sarno solicits more federal funding for Springfield’s fight against the virus.

Mayor and Chief Development Officer seek more funds for the “Prime The Pump” restaurant relief program.

Springfield addresses homeless population’s need during the health crisis.

Mayor and Police Commissioner Claprood announce partnership with National Guard and State Police.

Arnold’s Meats in Chicopee and 90 Meat Outlet in Springfield close due to employee in each location testing positive for the virus.

CDC issues advisory for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

St. Mark’s Church in East Longmeadow offers daily online services.

Monson confirms its first positive case of the virus.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday, March 27, 2029

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu issues “Stay At Home Order” for the state.

Northampton Mayor David Narkiewicz diagnosed with COVID-19.

At Munchy’s Malt Shop in Westfield, owner Deb Schultz is feeling the effects of the lockdown.

Springfield Commissioner of Health and Human Services Helen Caulton-Harris offers a heartfelt plea.

Amtrak suspends service of “The Vermonter” and the “Ethan Allen Express.”

Retired Hampden Police Sgt. Bill Joy, diagnosed with COVID-19, is in the ICU at Baystate.

Springfield DPW cancels scheduled household collection of hazardous waste.

Mayor Sarno extends closure of City Hall and public buildings.

Blandford Ski Area closes permanently.

Springfield City Councilors call for further relief of rent, mortgages, evictions and more.

The Gray House takes steps to continue to provide food, offering curbside food service.

Federal tax deadline extended; Mass State tax deadline is not.

 

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, March 26, 2020

Springfield Mayor Sarno announces the release of “Prime the Pump” to help city restaurants.

Tucker’s in Southwick is coping with the business’ adjustments – with manager Karen Anderson.

Mercy Medical Center Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Robert Roose, on MMC’s COVID-19 response and status.

Springfield DPW begins yard waste collections in April.

Easthampton Audubon Society temporarily closes its buildings and trails.

Greenfield opens a COVID-19 command center in the John Zon Community Center.

Virtual creative and educational activities for kids at home.

Plastic shields now at the checkout counters at our supermarkets.

MedExpress offering testing for the virus.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Two Western Mass. towns report confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Big Y donates $125K to food banks in Western Mass. and Connecticut.

Brett Berchin at DelfShaven Designs describes current small business challenges.

Baystate Health Systems’ Dr. Mark Keroack on the status of testing locally for COVID-19.

Hot Table offers a free meal to frontline workers.

New date for special elections in two districts.

Peter Pan Bus Lines and the PVTA schedules impacted by the health emergency.

Blue Seal Kielbasa is back at Chicopee Provisions.

Ludlow Police see an increase in domestic violence calls.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Amazon Prime delays delivery of non-essential products.

Bill Collins of Center Square Grill unites area restaurants to keep employees intact.

Mark Auerbach on the survival of the arts during COVID-19.

New England Orthopedic Surgeons furloughs half of its workforce.

Springfield Museums offer online interactive exploration for all.

City officials remove Springfield basketball hoops.

Trinity Health of New England offers a webinar on how to talk to your kids about COVID-19.

Mayor Sarno holds COVID-19 update at City Hall.

Stop & Shop donates $1 million to regional food banks.

Social distancing urged in supermarkets.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, March 23, 2020

New website will tell you how much toilet paper you really need!

Dakin reaches out to help local hospitals with equipment.

A letter from Mayor Sarno.

Commissioner Claprood outlines procedural changes for Springfield PD.

Holyoke Police warn of phony “no parking” signs.

Mayor Sarno’s COVID-19 response team update schedule.

Hadley Town Hall is cleaned and sanitized.

Local churches move to online worship services.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the Weekend, March 20, 2020

A new message from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.

A message from Springfield Fire Commissioner B.J. Calvi.

A message from Springfield Police Commissioner Cheryl Claprood.

Travel expert Max Hartshorne offers a practice to reduce anxiety.

Trinity Health of New England activates a COVID-19 information hotline.

Toilet paper suppliers indicate they are ramping up production.

Massachusetts special elections to be postponed.

The Zoo in Forest Park needs some help to feed the animals.

Chez Josef hosts a turkey drive for families in need of food.

“Grab & Go” meals at the Westfield Boys & Girls Club.

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, March 19, 2020

Message from the Holyoke PD on panhandlers.

Comcast offers some relief to their customers.

School closing info and details from Springfield School Superintendent Dan Warwick.

Price Chopper and other supermarkets add special senior shopper hours.

Westfield and Athol cancel special events.

Mass RMV reopens 7 locations for special customer needs.

Holyoke Senior Center closes and suspends certain programs.

Cooley Dickinson now cancels all visiting hours.

Governor Baker orders all daycare and child care centers closed.

Places to go to relieve “cabin fever” and still stay safe.

Springfield delays due dates for trash fees, property and excise taxes.

Springfield creates “Prime The Pump Grant” for struggling restaurants.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Mayor Sarno announces enhanced patrols of Forest Park.

Dr. Mark Keroack outlines the Baystate COVID-19 response plan.

Mass. Mental Health Association VP Kim Lee explains their new service “Telewell.” (Telehealth).

Erving Industries runs 24/7 making toilet paper.

Holyoke closes Ingleside Mall.

Two dental associations urge dentists to close for the time being.

Congressman Neal and Dr. Mark Keroack invite the public to a telephone information session today.

AIC announces transition to “Distance Learning.”

Eversource suspends collections for the time being.

STCC extends spring break by one week.

Club Fitness remains open for workouts.

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Springfield Police Dept. wants to reduce visits to the Pearl Street location.

Mayor Sarno speaks out on Springfield’s reaction to the pandemic.

Mercy Medical Center runs down new restrictions on patient visitation.

A message from a downtown Springfield restaurant.

Baystate to offer same-day results for COVID-19 testing.

Mark Auerbach, ArtsBeat Reporter, on shut-down performance venues.

Springfield Symphony Orchestra suspends the remainder of the season.

Stop & Shop offers special early time shopping for customers 60 and over.

Chicopee school kids still get their lunches though schools are cancelled.

Mass SJC postpones all jury trials TFN.

Gov. Baker offers emergency capital to small businesses.

Department of Unemployment Insurance offers emergency assistance to affected workers.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, March 16, 2020

Summary of the latest COVID-19 reaction for the City of Springfield, from the Office of the Mayor.

An open letter from Mayor Sarno to the residents and business community of Springfield.

Trinity Health of New England presents a webinar on COVID-19.

Springfield Jewish Community Center plans to shut down.

National Grid suspends all collection activities due to the virus.

Major Massachusetts supermarket chains adjust store hours to restock and cope with demands and shortages.

Western Mass. restaurants report regular activity over the weekend .

Dr. Mark Keroack addresses the reaction to the pandemic.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday, March 13, 2020

The Mental Health Association announces a special new program.

Live theater events are being postponed and canceled; a report with Mark Auerbach.

Mercy Medical Center cancels The Caritas Gala.

MassMutual tells its employees to “work from home.”

Supermarkets end buffets and food samples.

Additional postponements and cancellations.

Longmeadow Senior Center has closed with some exceptions.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont bans gatherings of 250 or more.

Joe Biden cancels his campaign appearance in Hartford.

Brad Shepard Today! Thursday, March 12, 2020

Longmeadow Police are trying to identify 4 males who went through garages and vehicles in the town overnight.

How is restaurant traffic being affected by the state of emergency? (With Nadim Kashou)

Dental safety during the crisis? – with Cecile Calabrese from Agawam Dental Arts.

Mayor Sarno schedules updates on Springfield’s response to COVID-19.

Northampton Mayor urges all to cancel large-scale events in the city.

Springfield City Council members are urging more eating establishments to apply for outdoor dining permits.

Local and chain movie theaters are altering their programming, and studios are delaying their release of big films.

Chicopee Public Schools postponing all activities that draw more than 200 people.

UMass system and Westfield State move to “remote learning” due to the coronavirus crisis.

Brad Shepard Today! Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Announcement coming on the future of the White Hut!

Jordan Goodman on COVID-19.

Rundown of coronavirus-related cancellations. (colleges, schools, trips, parades, road races, etc)

Berkshire County town of Otis identifies a case of the virus.

North Adams mayor and a city councilor are quarantined due to a suspected case of Coronavirus.

Governor Baker declares a state of emergency.

Springfield Museums’ popular lunchtime Museums à la Carte announces its Spring lineup!

Brad Shepard Today! Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Junior Achievement of Western Mass. receives a high national honor.

Mark Auerbach, ArtsBeat Reporter, with Western Mass. theater notes.

Dunkin’ responds to COVID-19.

Counterfeit bills passed in Chicopee, with Chicopee police Officer, Mike Wilk.

Smith College cancels events with more than 50 attendees.

Mayor Sarno attends Bright Nights Appreciation Breakfast.

New restrictions at Mercy Medical Center due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 hits the gas pumps.

Boston cancels this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Brad Shepard Today! Monday, March 9, 2020

Overnight guardrail work on Mass. Pike in Blandford all week.

The Mayor and the Fire Commissioner of Springfield announce the new EpiPen program.

Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield notes first reported case of COVID-19 in the Springfield area.

125 Polar Plunge fundraisers jump into the water at  Hampton Ponds State Park to benefit the Special Olympics.

UMass Blarney Blowout: a rapper refuses to go on, police make 20 arrests, and a few go to the hospital.

East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial receives a donation.

COVID-19 affects Western Mass. churches.

Western Area Massachusetts Dietetic Association’s 5K Benefit and Health Fair.

Western Mass. Fish and Wildlife officials have begun stocking local ponds with trout.

Brad Shepard Today! Friday and the weekend, March 6, 2020

Mayor Sarno’s busy Friday schedule.

Dawn Creighton at Greenfield Community College shares her view of Franklin County.

Peter Pan Bus Lines challenged for allowing law enforcement on its buses without a warrant.

Free Donut Friday at Dunkin’!

Starbucks responds to possible virus spread and alters its cup policy.

“Spring ahead” this Sunday!

Big Y Express convenience store coming to Westfield.