Page 19 - Don Treeger News Today

Speaker Mariano? Western Massachusetts lawmakers line up behind Quincy Democrat as likely successor to House Speaker Robert DeLeo Updated Dec 21, 2020; Facebook Share Several Western Massachusetts lawmakers committed to backing Majority Leader Ron Mariano’s bid for House speaker should Robert DeLeo step down. “Without hesitation, I’m supporting Mariano,” said Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, a Lenox Democrat who was first elected in 2003. Pignatelli is one of eight Western Massachusetts lawmake...

Parents unable to find work during COVID pandemic struggle to provide a magical Christmas this year Updated Dec 21, 2020; Posted Dec 21, 2020 Carlys masters degree hangs on the wall of her office. Although her hours have been cut in half, Carly sent her daughter to her parents home because she is too high risk after 17 heart surgeries. (Douglas Hook / MassLive) Facebook Share Three years ago, Carly Brownell’s teenage daughter was in critical condition and almost died. The now 19-year-old ha...

Massachusetts reports 3,995 new coronavirus cases, 47 more deaths on Saturday MassLive.com 12/19/2020 Melissa Hanson, masslive.com © Don Treeger | dtreeger@repub.com/masslive.com/TNS 12/7/2020 -Springfield- Hundreds of cars were in line for COVID-19 testing at the Eastfield Mall Monday morning. People were waiting an average of 2.5 hours to be tested. Another 3,995 Massachusetts residents have tested positive for the coronavirus and there are 81,282 cases currently active i...

14,000 people visited this remote Massachusetts quarry in 2020; land trust has a plan to deal with the crowds Updated Dec 14, 2020; Posted Dec 14, 2020 12/5/2020 -Becket- Sean Barrett and Maria Garcia of Westfield enjoy the view at the historic Becket Quarry property. (Don Treeger / The Republican) Facebook Share BECKET — Twenty years ago a grassroots conservation group bought the historic Becket Quarry property so it wouldn’t be reopened to provide crushed stone for the Big Dig. The vo...

Davis Foundation unites with Toy for Joy to promote literacy, with books among gifts MassLive.com 12/13/2020 Elizabeth Román, masslive.com © Don Treeger / The Republican/masslive.com/TNS Contributions may be mailed with this coupon to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA, 01103. Every family in Western Massachusetts that receives gifts from Toy for Joy this year will also receive a book to read with their children. The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation has sp...

Springfield completes first week of Toy for Joy distribution, continues to see great need Updated Dec 13, 2020; Posted Dec 13, 2020 12/10/2020 -Springfield- Volunteers load boxes for waiting cars as distribution of the Salvation Armys Toy for Joy campaign has begun at their Pearl Street headquarters. (Don Treeger / The Republican) Facebook Share SPRINGFIELD — For the first time in its 98-year history, the Toy for Joy campaign this year switched to online registration and contactless distr...

As COVID pandemic changes the face of hunger, food banks across Massachusetts see double-digit increases in demand Updated Jan 05, 2021; Posted Dec 12, 2020 Andrea Allen-Glenn, food coordinator for the Emergency Food Assistance Program at Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Services in Springfield. (Hoan Leon Nguyen / The Republican) Facebook Share Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that In the last 12 months the Food Bank has provided the equivalent of 12.4 million meals in all fo...

MassDOT’s million-dollar East-West rail final report overdue; ‘There comes a point where you have to just get the work done’ Updated Dec 11, 2020; Posted Dec 11, 2020 The East-West Passenger Rail Study Advisory Committee held a meeting to discuss their progress at the Springfield Sheraton. This is one of the many charts that lined the room. (Don Treeger / The Republican) Facebook Share The final report for the long-awaited East-West rail link from Pittsfield to Boston was due to be rel...