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

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Greening the Gateway Cities Program Partnership and Implementation Grants

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

$56M Holyoke Soldiers’ Home settlement passes state Senate; House passes military families, burn pits bill

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

‘Welcoming Community’: US Representative and Governor of Massachusetts pitch Westfield, Barnes Air National Guard Base as home for F-35 fighter jets

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

Massachusetts veterans benefits amendment would rectify a discriminatory policy for LGBTQ vets (Editorial)

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

Chicopee Memorial Day candlelight vigil for fallen Vietnam veterans returns after COVID scales back events

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

‘This is fundamentally unfair’: At Northampton VA hospital, officials and veterans warn closing facility could create heavy barriers to receiving care

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

Soldiers’ Home legislation must be best possible bill to address future of veterans’ care, oversight to facilities (Editorial)

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

Western Massachusetts legislators appointed to conference committee assembled to advance Holyoke Soldiers’ Home governance reforms

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

Senate unanimously passes Soldiers’ Home governance bill, tightening chain of command and proposing key changes in oversight

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