Senior Center will use $50K grant for renovations, programs

December 29, 2021 – Lauren LeBel – The Reminder Publishing

State Senator John Velis plays Holyoke High School students in basketball series at Boys and Girls Club for $500 donation

December 10, 2021 – Cassie McGrath – MassLive

Holyoke Boys and Girls Club big winner in teens vs. Team Velis benefit basketball game

December 9, 2021 – Amy Phillips – 22 News WWLP

Agawam Senior Center receives $50K in state funding

December 6, 2021 – Sy Becker – 22 News WWLP

Licensing Bill Framed As Lure For Military Investments

November 30, 2021 – State House News Service – WBZ News Radio

Easthampton Community Center receives $25,000 in state funding

November 23, 2021 – Chris Maza – Reminder Publishing

Help for Vets: Senate approved American Rescue Plan Act, spending bill heads to House

November 11, 2021 – Lindsey Kane, Olivia Hickey – Western Mass News

Letters for veterans at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

November 11, 2021 – Melissa Torres, Mike Masciadrelli – 22 News WWLP

A Veteran and a Gold Star father on our Afghan allies

November 11, 2021 – Jamie Bologna, Tiziana Dearing- WBUR Radio Boston

Gateway City Caucus tour continues into Holyoke

November 8, 2021 – Nick Aresco – 22 News WWLP

‘They’ll never be forgotten’: Restoration of Holyoke War Memorial gets $50K boost from state

November 4, 2021 – Stephen Fray – Daily Hampshire Gazette

State to aid restoration of Lady Liberty at Holyoke Veterans Park

November 4, 2021 – Dennis Hohenberger – MassLive

$50k in state funding for Holyoke War Memorial

November 4, 2021 – Mike Masciadrelli – 22 News WWLP

Getting Answers: Interview with Senator John Velis

October 24, 2021 – Chris Pisano – Western Mass News

State Senate passes bill that could help bring F-35 jets to Barnes, investment to Westover

October 21, 2021 – Jim Kinney – MassLive

Veterans’ Services Committee discuss changes to benefits for Gold Star families

September 24, 2021 – Jodi Reed – 22 News WWLP

Sen. Velis testifies in support of recycling bill

September 14, 2021 – Nancy Asiamah – 22 News WWLP

War and Remembrance: 9/11, 20 years later

September 12, 2021 – Patrick Johnson – MassLive

Local program for military members involved in criminal cases discussed

August 23, 2021 – Kristina D’Amours – 22 News WWLP

State Sen. John Velis urges US government not to abandon Afghans who helped military

August 17, 2021 – Ron Chimelis – MassLive

Afghan Interpreter, Veteran On The Translators ‘Left Behind’

August 16, 2021 – GBH News – Greater Boston

‘It shocks the conscience’: Afghanistan withdrawal hits home with some legislators

August 16, 2021 – 7 News – State House News Service

Velis touts bill to support military families, aid Barnes air base

July 14, 2021 – Hope E. Tremblay – The Reminder

‘Imbued with meaning’: 75 years later, B-17 crash victims honored at Mount Tom ceremony

July 11, 2021 – Stephen Fay – Daily Hampshire Gazette

Massachusetts bill to cut red tape for military families could also aid Barnes Air National Guard Base’s quest for new fighter jets

July 6, 2021 – Steph Solis – MassLive

Military licensing reform may boost Westfield base prospects

July 6, 2021 – Jodi Reed, Matt Murphy – 22 News WWLP, State House News Service

Jobs topic of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce luncheon

June 28, 2021 – Dennis Hohenberger – MassLive

Pentagon completes comprehensive evaluation of Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield ahead of F-35 jet decision

June 27, 2021 – Jim Kinney – MassLive

Baystate Noble Hospital Awards $60,000 to Address Substance-use Disorders

June 25, 2021 – HealthCare News

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce luncheon tackles labor shortage

June 25, 2021 – Mike Masciadrelli – 22 News WWLP

MA Senate approves change to provide line-of-duty death benefits for Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia’s family

June 24, 2021 – Steph Solis – MassLive

Ribbon cutting ceremony for completion of Morgan-Sullivan Bridge

June 24, 2021 – Lianne Zanna – 22 News WWLP

Velis supports sports betting bill

June 17, 2021 – Hope E. Tremblay – The Westfield News

With competition growing, Western Massachusetts leaders want small business, minority-owned restaurants involved in sports betting

June 17, 2021 – Jim Kinney – MassLive

Velis’ 10 budget amendments to help district

June 7, 2021 – Peter Currier – The Reminder

State Sen. Velis speaks on legislation that specifically affects veterans

May 27, 2021 – Patrick Berry – Mass Appeal WWLP

Bill for new state-of-the-art Holyoke Soldiers’ Home awaits Gov. Baker’s signature

May 21, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Jodi Reed, Mike Masciadrelli

Senate unanimously approves $600 million bill to build new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, fund veterans services statewide

May 20, 2021 – MassLive – Jeanette DeForge

Velis, Blais to co-chair state legislature’s Aviation Caucus

May 19, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Amy Phillips

Holyoke Soldier’s Home takes a step closer towards a complete rebuild

May 14, 2021 – Western Mass News – Catherine Caputo

Legislative conference committee advances bill to build new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

May 14, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Many issues with Fall River teen’s death still don’t add up

May 4, 2021 – Commonwealth Magazine – Shira Schoenberg

Lawmakers Explore Failings in David Almond Case

May 4, 2021 – WBUR News – Chris Van Buskirk, State House News Service

DCF to visit every child it supervises in person by month’s end, state officials tell lawmakers

May 4, 2021 – Boston Globe – Matt Stout

Sen. John Velis discusses passage of Holyoke Soldiers’ Home bill

April 30, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Jodi Reed

$600M bond bill for new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, more services for veterans statewide passes Massachusetts Senate in unanimous vote

April 29, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Velis’ small business bills referred to committee

April 27, 2021 – The Westfield News – Westfield Newsroom

Community honors Agawam activist with spring riverside clean-up

April 24, 2021 – Western Mass News – Amanda Callahan

Proposal would ease military transition to civilian life

April 23, 2021 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Kami Rieck

Massachusetts Senate to debate $600M bond bill for new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, statewide veterans services

April 22, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

PVTA to start a pilot express route between Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield

April 13, 2021 – The Reminder – Lauren LeBel

Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Update with Sen. John Velis

April 9, 2021 – New England Public Media – Connecting Point

State revokes permit for proposed Springfield biomass plant

April 4, 2021 – Daily Hampshire Gazette – Bera Dunau

Velis files education-related bills

March 29, 2021 – The Westfield News – Westfield Newsroom

Photo by Hope E. Tremblay 2019

Westfield’s East Main Street CVS now offering vaccinations

March 24, 2021 – The Reminder – Peter Currier

Velis to participate in Opioid Policy Fellows Program

March 23, 2021 – The Reminder – Ryan Feyre

Area lawmakers participate in MassSupport Twitter chat

March 23, 2021 – The Reminder – Lauren LeBel

Supporters of Soldiers’ Home reconstruction hopeful for state funding

March 16, 2021 – Ryan Trowbridge, Jordyn Jagolinzer – Western Mass News

Holyoke Soldiers’ Home advocates urge state lawmakers to move swiftly or lose fed momentum

March 16, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Westfield mayor, representatives look ahead after a year of COVID

March 15, 2021 – The Westfield News – Amy Porter

National award recognizes Jack Coughlin for anti-littering efforts

March 15, 2021 – MassLive – Michael Ballway

Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition calls on lawmakers to ‘do the right thing’ and support $400 million bond bill

March 14, 2021 – The Boston Herald – Erin Tiernan

Tick, tick, tick: Clock running on state’s $400 million bond bill to secure federal money for new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

March 14, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Sen. Velis among 20 legislators to participate in opioid addiction seminar

March 4, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Jeff Martin

Crossfit TLA raises awareness, funds for veterans

February 24, 2021 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay

Velis selected to chair Veteran and Federal Affairs Committee 

February 23, 2021 – The Reminder – Dennis Hackett

State Sen. John Velis of Westfield to chair Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee

February 17, 2021 – MassLive – The Republican Newsroom

Velis glad to see increased bed count in updated Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Plan

February 13, 2021 – The Westfield News – Westfield Newsroom

State files $400M bond bill to rebuild Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke 

February 11, 2021 – WWLP – Nancy Asiamah, Hector Molina

$400M bond bill is a key step toward building a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

February 11, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Legislators insist for larger Soldiers Home

February 10, 2021 – The Reminder – G. Michael Dobbs

A mission to rid the state of nips and other discarded trash ends in tragedy

February 8, 2021 – The Boston Globe – David Abel

‘We got nearly half the Legislature’: More than 80 lawmakers sign on to letter rapping Gov. Charlie Baker’s plan for a scaled-back Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

February 2, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Massachusetts lawmakers push Charlie Baker for more beds at revamped Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

February 2, 2021 – The Boston Herald – Lisa Kashinsky

Area legislators push governor for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccine

February 2, 2020 – The Daily Hampshire Gazette – Anita Fritz

Lawmakers question plans for smaller Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke

February 2, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Katie Lannan, Sydney Snow

With one mass COVID vaccine site west of Worcester, state legislators call for more options in Western Massachusetts

February 1, 2021 – MassLive – Steph Solis

Velis calls for better Soldiers’ Home plan

February 2, 2020 – The Westfield News – Westfield Newsroom

Velis calls for centralized booking for vaccine registration, co-sponsors bill to improve system

January 28, 2021 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay

Humason, Velis and Pease discuss city priorities

January 27, 2021 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay

Health officials testify on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Audrey Russo, Morgyn Joubert

‘We never received that request’: General says Massachusetts National Guard was initially unaware of rising death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21, 2021 – MassLive – Stephanie Barry

Photos by Sam Doran/State House News Service

Protection increases ahead of President-elect Biden’s inauguration

January 14, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Kayla Burton, Morgyn Joubert

COVID-19 and The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home with State Senator John Velis

January 11, 2021 – Comcast Newsmakers – Nathan O’Leary

Local officials react to FBI warning of possible armed protests

January 11, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Lindsey Kane, Amanda Callahan

U.S. Capitol attack reminds Velis of Afghanistan deployment

January 7, 2021 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay

State legislators condemn violence in Washington calling acts ‘disgraceful’

January 7, 2021 – 22 News WWLP – Jodi Reed

Velis hopeful for a better 2021

January 4, 2021 – The Westfield News – Hope E. Tremblay