Westfield Tops Mass As City With 'Most Bang For Your Buck': Survey
Massachusetts may not be the first place that comes to mind for affordable living, but a new national survey highlights three cities that combine low costs with the amenities homeowners crave.
Westfield, Gardner, and Fitchburg were named the best options for homebuyers in the Bay State, according to a new report by Advance America.
The list, compiled after surveying more than 3,000 real estate professionals, focused on U.S. cities where residents can find affordable homes, a reasonable cost of living, and a high quality of life. While cities in Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas dominated th…
North Branford-Based Pet, Garden Retailer Closing After 40 Years: 'We'll Miss Every Tail Wag'
A popular retailer of pet and garden supplies in southern New England is shutting down after four decades.
Smithland Pet & Garden Center will close all 13 of its stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts, the company said in a news release on Monday, May 5. Originally launching in 1985, Smithland was previously known as myAgway, as well as Dave's Soda and Pet City.
The chain offering pet supplies, gardening goods, wild bird seed, and backyard furniture will begin storewide sales on Tuesday, May 6.
"This is not a goodbye without deep gratitude," Smithfield said. "Our love f…
Springfield Murder Suspect Caught In South Carolina
A 36-year-old Hampden County man wanted in connection with a Jan. 31 fatal shooting in Springfield has been arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, authorities announced.
Jermaine Atkins, of Westfield, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 29, on a fugitive from justice warrant after Springfield police tracked him to South Carolina and relayed the information to officers there, authorities said.
Atkins is accused of shooting Nicorie Adams, age 30, of Springfield, around 4:20 p.m. in the 0 to 100 block of Rochelle Street. Adams and an unnamed woman were in a car when they were bo…
Western Mass Man Charged With Killing Anthony Goss In Springfield; GoFundMe Created For Victim
A Hampden County man was arrested and charged with killing a 23-year-old earlier this week in Springfield, authorities said.
Tyreese Amaro, 25, of East Longmeadow, is charged with murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and several firearm felonies, Springfield police said.
Related: Police ID Man Killed In Springfield
Amaro is accused of fatally shooting Anthony Goss, of Westfield, on Monday, Feb. 26, in his car in the 700 block of Bay Street near the intersection with Tapley Street, police said. The 23-year-old Goss died at the scene.
Police to…
2 Charged With Setting Train Car On Fire In Western Mass Causing $250K In Damages: Police
Police have arrested two men investigators say set a train car on fire on Aug. 16 in Hampden County, destroying everything inside.
Johnny Hundley, 23, of Southwick in Hampden County, is charged with breaking and entering into a railroad car, burning a railway car, malicious destruction of property worth more than $1,200, and trespassing on railroad property, the Massachusetts Fire Marshal said.
Brandon Jasorkowski, 25, was arrested in Connecticut and is expected to be extradited to face similar charges, investigators said.
Westfield firefighters were called to the area beh…
Missing Canoer, 20, Found Dead In Western Mass Pond After Days Of Searching
After a nearly five-day search, the body of a 20-year-old canoer who went overboard in Westfield's Pequot Pond was found on Sunday, June 25.
The East Longmeadow man was on the pond with two friends on Wednesday night, June 22, when it capsized, tossing them all into the water. Two men swam to shore, but the third man never resurfaced.
Police have not released his name.
One of the other canoers was hospitalized for injuries.
Multiple police agencies utilizing dive teams, helicopters, sonar, and other instruments scoured Pequot Pond for hours each day but found …
