Listen to the interview with Mayor Domenic Sarno.
Today marks the 10-year anniversary of one of the worst natural disasters in western Massachusetts history.
Late in the afternoon of June 1st, 2011, a tornado with winds estimated at 160 miles an hour devastated a third of the city of Springfield. 500 buildings were destroyed.
The tornado stayed on the ground for over an hour and traveled 39 miles from Westfield to Charlton. There were 3 deaths. 200 people injured. Damage was estimated at $140 million.
WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno who recalled the day ten years ago and reflected on how the city has recovered in the decade since.
Listen to the interview with Brian Foote.
Live entertainment, arts and cultural events are returning to western Massachusetts. But artists are hurting financially after more than a year of lost income.
The Massachusetts Arts Council’s COVID-19 impact survey found that in western Massachusetts alone 558 artists reported lost income of almost $5 million since March 2020.
To help artists and arts producers, the Northampton Arts Council recently announced a second round of relief grants.
WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with executive director Brian Foote.
The application for a grant is due on May 15th. The organization is also accepting donations to support the grant program.