American Legion, VFW posts work to keep doors open, connect with new generation of veterans
September 11, 2022 – The Republican/MassLive – Aprell May Munford
Western Mass. remembers victims of Sept. 11 attacks at multiple ceremonies
September 11, 2022 – The Republican/Masslive – Jeanette DeForge
9/11 remembrance ceremony held in Agawam
September 11, 2022 – Western Mass News – Addie Patterson/Olivia Hickey
Holyoke statehouse delegation secures $150K in rescue funds to aid Latino businesses
September 7, 2022 – MassLive/The Republican – Dennis Hohenberger
Westfield Overdose Awareness Vigil seeks to bring attention to ongoing struggle
September 1, 2022 – The Westfield News/MassLive – Amy Porter
Senator John C. Velis and Agawam Mayor William P. Sapelli play friendly flag football game
August 23, 2022 – MassLive – Leon Nguyen
English Tea and hat parade return to Stanley Park this month
August 31, 2022 – The Reminder – Max Bowen
Report: dozens of bridges deemed structurally deficient in western Mass.
August 31, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Westfield hosts candlelight vigil in remembrance of those lost to overdose
August 31, 2022 – Western Mass News – Joe Chaisson
Southampton Council on Aging gets $50K lift from state ARPA funds
August 30, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Emily Thurlow
Southampton Council on Aging receives $50,000 in ARPA funding to expand services for local seniors
August 29, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Kaelee Collins
August 29, 2022 – Department of Conservation & Recreation – Ilyse Wolberg
Homework House in Holyoke receives $50K from state
August 23, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Sy Becker
State Senator Velis speaks to residents about his time serving in Afghanistan
August 22, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Nick Aresco
Westfield plans to host International Overdose Awareness Vigil on Park Square
August 19, 2022 – The Westfield News/MassLive – Peter Currier
Hallowed 9/11 flag makes tour through area
August 17, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Emily Thurlow
West Springfield girl sells lemonade to raise money for police K9s
August 16, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Sy Becker
American Legion Post 185 in Agawam receives $50k from state
August 15, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Brett Willand
State Sen. John Velis Announces $50,000 In ARPA Funding For American Legion Post 185
August 15, 2022 – BusinessWest
Local legislators discuss what’s to come after sports betting legalization
August 10, 2022 – Western Mass News – Lexi Oliver
Mental health reform act awaits Governor Baker’s approval
August 9, 2022 – 22 News – Ellen Fleming
SPEED Act becomes law in Massachusetts
August 8, 2022 – 22 News – Ellen Fleming
Opioid-related allocations approved as part of governor’s budget
August 5, 2022 – The Westfield News/MassLive – Max Bowen
Veterans celebrate major win as PACT Act passes in U.S. Senate
August 3, 2022 – Western Mass News – Kristin Burnell
State lawmakers reach agreement on sports betting bill
August 1, 2022- Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Amanda’s Law passes in House and Senate, awaiting Governor Baker’s signature
August 1, 2022 – Western Mass News – Hugh Zeitlin, Samantha O’Connor
Mass. Senate Adopts Expansion Of Dangerousness Law
August 1, 2022 – NBC Boston/State House News Service – Chris Lisinski
Hot topic bills remain on the table as Mass. formal legislation session wraps up
July 31, 2022 – Western Mass News – Olivia Hickey
Rare Mass. law gives money back to taxpayers
July 29, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Family of Chicopee murder victim push to pass Amanda’s Law before session ends
July 27, 2022 – Western Mass News – Lexi Oliver, Samantha O’Connor
Gold Star Spouses amendment has been passed
July 27, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Ellen Fleming
State aid secured to repair Main Street sewer lines in Agawam
July 27, 2022 – MassLive – Aprell May Munford
Sen. Velis’ $1M earmark to update Westfield High School science labs, tennis courts, security
July 26, 2022 – The Westfield News/MassLive – Amy Porter
Senate passes amendment on Gold Star family annuity
July 22, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Amy Phillips
State senators approve one-time inflation relief checks
July 22, 2022 – Western Mass News – Mary Wilson
Change to mental health crisis hotline benefits veterans
July 17, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Plans for Western Massachusetts passenger rail service on track
July 17, 2022 – MassLive – Jim Kinney
Deadlines approach the Massachusetts Legislature
July 15, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Ellen Fleming
State officials preview end of legislative session in Mass.
July 10, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill for veteran, military family protections
July 8, 2022 – Boston Herald – Gayla Cawley
Settlement reached related to Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
July 8, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Elle Fleming
State lawmakers propose rebates to help with inflation costs
July 7, 2022 – Western Mass News – Ryan Trowbridge, Lexi Oliver
July 7, 2022 – MassLive/The Republican – Jim Kinney
Westfield Legion post will use $20K in federal aid for roof, cellar repairs
July 7, 2022 – The Westfield News/MassLive – Amy Porter
Pascommuck Conservation Trust celebrates 40 years of existence
July 5, 2022 – The Reminder – Ryan Feyre
New law streamlines voting process for state’s service members overseas
July 3, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Brian Steele
SPEED Act needs speedy passage to bring jets to Westfield and support our military (Editorial)
July 1, 2022 – MassLive – The Republican Editorials
How the VOTES Act helps active military members
June 30, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Ellen Fleming
Law streamlines voting process for Massachusetts military members serving overseas
June 30, 2022 – MassLive – Jeanette DeForge
Area veterans happy at reprieve for Leeds VA, but urge continued vigilance
June 28th, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Dusty Christensen, Domenic Poli
Officials discuss dangers of summertime teen driving following deadly crashes
June 28, 2022 – Western Mass News – Kristin Burnell
Mass. legislators succeed in fight to keep Leeds VA Medical Center open
June 27, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford
Westfield Council on Aging receives funds to help Senior Center
June 27, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Sy Becker
June 24, 2022 – Stars & Stripes – Jim Kinney, MassLive
Williston library receives $50,000 in government rescue funds
June 24, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Emily Thurlow
Westfield Air Base may receive newest Air Force fighter Jets
June 23, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Kristina D’Amours
Bill would give benefits to veterans discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
June 22, 2022 – CBS News Boston – Brandon Truitt
State lawmaker reacts to President Biden’s push to pause federal gas tax
June 22, 2022 – Western Mass News – Matt Sottile
State Sen. John Velis secures $125,000 in fiscal Senate budget to combat the opioid epidemic
June 21, 2022 – MassLive – Jonah Snowden
Bill filed for $56 million Soldiers’ Home settlement
June 16, 2022 – Western Mass News – Lexi Oliver
Affordable housing officials concerned over flaws in new state system
June 15, 2022 – Western Mass News – Paris Dunford, Samantha O’Connor
Uptick in opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts
June 10, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Kaelee Collins, Kristina D’Amours, Ellen Fleming
Massachusetts, federal lawmakers support bill that helps veterans exposed to burn pits
June 10, 2022 – The Boston Herald – Gayla Cawley
Westfield Food Pantry receives $25K from ARPA funding
June 7, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Taylor Knight, Kayleigh Thomas
Legislators discuss efforts to suspend state gas tax through summer
June 7, 2022 – Western Mass News – Leon Purvis, Samantha O’Connor
Budget earmark will help amid rising food costs, Westfield Food Pantry says
June 7, 2022 – The Westfield News – Peter Currier
Through budget amendment, discharged gay and lesbian veterans could receive Mass. state benefits
June 2, 2022 – New England Public media – Jill Kaufman
May 31, 2022 – The Republican Editorials
Gay veterans to become eligible for benefits denied under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
May 30, 2022 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Dusty Christensen
New amendment to give veterans discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” benefits
May 30, 2022 – Western Mass News – Samantha O’Connor, Raegan Loughrey
Mass. Senate Passes Bill Benefiting Victims of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
May 26, 2022 – The Advocate – Donald Padgett
Agawam, Westfield Memorial Day speakers urge gratitude
May 30, 2022 – MassLive – Jim Kinney
May 29, 2022 – MassLive – Jeanette DeForge
Lady Liberty statue gets makeover in Holyoke
May 26, 2022 – MassLive – Dennis Hohenberger
HCC celebrates opening of new child watch program
May 25, 2022 – The Reminder – Trent Levakis
Baystate Noble Hospital celebrates $75K grant for substance abuse treatment
May 16, 2022 – MassLive/The Westfield News – Hannah Murphy
Senator Velis weighs in on baby formula shortage
May 14, 2022 – Western Mass News – Kristin Burnell, Olivia Hickey
Local organizations receive $75K grant to support substance abuse treatment
May 13, 2022 – 22 News – Kate Wilkinson
Holyoke Community College opens Itsy Bitsy Child Watch Center
May 4, 2022 – MassLive – Dennis Hohenberger
Virtual reality helps police train to de-escalate situations
May 2, 2022 – MassLive – Jim Kinney
Inspector General releases new report into Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
April 29, 2022 – Western Mass News – Lexi Oliver
State senate passes sports betting bill
April 28, 2022 – Western Mass News – Leon Purvis, Olivia Hickey
State Sen. John Velis donates $1,000 to Holyoke YMCA
April 12, 2022 – MassLive – Dennis Hohenberger
Local officials hold charity basketball game for Holyoke YMCA
April 11, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Liam Murphy, Samantha O’Connor
Western Mass News: Getting Answers with Senator John Velis
April 10, 2022 – Western Mass News – Dave Madsen
Agawam Veterans Council to expand services with ARPA funding
April 7, 2022 – MassLive – Aprell Munford
Senator Velis presents $15k in ARPA funding to Agawam Veterans Council
April 5, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Waleed Azad
March 29, 2022 – Stars and Stripes -Will Katcher, MassLive
Healthcare workers, veterans protest outside the Northampton VA
March 28, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Jillian Andrews
March 27, 2022 – MassLive – Editorial
Officials intend to fight proposed Leeds VA closure
March 22, 2022 – The Reminder – Chris Maza & G. Michael Dobbs
‘Week of Caring’: West Springfield, Agawam donate to Parish Cupboard, Ukraine refugees
March 21, 2022 – MassLive – Aprell May Munford
March 21, 2022 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry
State Sen. Velis blasts ‘unconscionable’ VA realignment plan
March 16, 2022 – WGBH – Matt Murphy, State House News Service
Substance use discussion held at Westfield State University
March 14, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Ashley Shook
March 11, 2022 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry
Senate vote inches state closer to Soldiers’ Home changes
March 12, 2022 – Berkshire Eagle – Chris Lisinski, State House News Service
Western Mass. officials, veterans advocates against proposal to close VA hospital in Northampton
March 11, 2022 – MassLive – Patrick Johnson
Agawam Senior Center will buy van with COVID relief funds
March 8, 2022 – MassLive – Aprell Munford
Agawam Senior Center receives funding for new van
March 9, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Ashley Shook
Treehouse Foundation of Easthampton receives $2M in ARPA money; plans additional locations
March 1, 2022 – MassLive – Patrick Johnson
Treehouse Foundation in Easthampton receives $2-million in ARPA funding
March 1, 2022 – 22 News WWLP – Jillian Andrews
Tapestry Health awarded $25,000 in COVID relief funds for opioid outreach efforts
February 15, 2022 – MassLive – Dennis Hohenberger
Holyoke Community College continues to put student needs first (Editorial)
February 8, 2022 – MassLive – Republican Editorial
Department of Veterans’ Services launch survey for female veterans
February 8, 2022 – WWLP 22 News – Kristina D’Amours
Brave swimmers take ‘penguin plunge’ at Hampton Ponds in Westfield
February 5, 2022 – WWLP 22 News – Sy Becker
$13.1M awarded for electric vehicle fast-charging stations around Massachusetts
February 4, 2022 – MassLive – Aprell Munford
Legislators update Holyoke City Council on middle school funding, home rule petitions
February 3, 2022 – MassLive – Dennis Hohenberger
Holyoke Community College free child-watch program will let parents pursue education
January 31, 2022 – MassLive – Ron Chimelis
Holyoke Soldiers’ Home looks to future: new leadership, new facility after deadly COVID outbreak
December 31, 2021 – Stephanie Barry – MassLive