5+ hour, 40+ min ago (353+ words) SPRINGFIELD " A Springfield man who was told by federal immigration officials to self-deport by Tuesday remains in the state after a judge issued an emergency order last night. Juan David Quichimbo Sumba applied for a special visa for victims of human trafficking last year, as he said a previous employer exploited his immigration status. But while his application was still pending, he was told to self-deport along with his wife and daughter. He had a flight scheduled for early this morning. However, he remains in the state for now. The Springfield resident, originally from Ecuador, was at a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement facility in Framingham this morning, completing paperwork, according to his attorney, Elizabeth Shaw. While the situation continues to be in flux, "we stay on for the fight," Shaw said. Shaw filed a petition with the federal court Monday…...

14+ hour, 31+ min ago (314+ words) SPRINGFIELD " Last winter, the 25 beds at an overflow shelter at Wesley United Methodist Church were often full. This year, it's doubling its capacity. The space, run by the Urban Impact Initiative, opened on Monday evening ahead of the season's first big snow storm. "We're really happy to be able to expand and provide the service," said Jynai McDonald, founding CEO of the initiative. On Tuesday afternoon as it snowed, McDonald already had received calls from social workers and community members asking about the shelter. It's supported by about $420,000 from the state and $377,000 from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Geraldine McCafferty, the city's housing director. Some of the city funds are going toward repairing the heating system in the church gym, which is allowing the shelter to add beds. McCafferty said she is relieved to have the…...

16+ hour, 47+ min ago (317+ words) Two cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, were confirmed in Worcester, a spokesperson for the city confirmed Tuesday. The individuals involved were admitted to UMass Memorial facilities, according to a statement from UMass Memorial Health. "Clinical leadership from UMass Memorial Infection Prevention and Control and Employee Health Services is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)," the statement reads. Dr. Michael P. Hirsh, the city's medical director, told the Telegram & Gazette on Tuesday the two individuals were homeless women who are sex workers. The city spokesperson did not identify the two individuals. A UMass Memorial Health spokesperson would not provide any additional information beyond the health care provider's statement when asked further questions. Mpox is a viral illness that can spread from animals to humans or from humans to humans, according to the…...

1+ day, 1+ hour ago (205+ words) WEST SPRINGFIELD " Garlands of evergreen branches, stockings hanging above a cozy fireplace, fir trees bedazzled with baubles and lights. Six homes in West Springfield will put their versions of holiday magic on display when they open their doors for the 29th Holiday Tour of Homes. The Dec. 6 event benefits the programs of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club. From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., between 500 and 600 people will be welcomed to stroll through the decorated homes of local hosts and learn about their traditions. This year, 20 local businesses sponsored the event. These include Kelley & Katzer Real Estate, bankESB, Bertera Auto, Checkwriters, Eastern States Exposition, HUB New England, PeoplesBank, Sullivan Paper Company, Teddy Bear Pools & Spas and Westfield Bank. "We see five to eight hosts each year," Calabrese-Dunphy said. "This year we have six and two of them have been on the tour before. It's…...

1+ day, 6+ hour ago (419+ words) The National Weather Service released a winter storm warning at 12:35 p.m. on Monday valid from Tuesday 7 a.m. until Wednesday 7 a.m. for Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. Winter storm warning in place for 3 Massachusetts counties for Tuesday and Wednesday " up to 9 inches of snow The National Weather Service released a winter storm warning at 12:35 p.m. on Monday valid from Tuesday 7 a.m. until Wednesday 7 a.m. for Franklin, Hampshire and Hampden counties. The weather service states to anticipate, "Total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches." "Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes. Significant accumulation of wet, dense snow weighing on trees and powerlines could cause them to be downed," adds the weather service. "If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency." Drive safely in winter: Expert advice from the weather…...

1+ day, 14+ hour ago (215+ words) WORCESTER " Brew Caf, previously known as Brew on the Grid, is changing its name again " and branching out to become more than just a coffee shop. On Monday, the downtown cafe announced on social media that it is undergoing a rebrand. Moving forward, it will be known as Garden Coffee & Cocktails. With the new name comes extended hours later in the day. Garden Coffee & Cocktails plans to stay open until midnight on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The business still plans to operate as a coffee shop that will be open starting at 7 a.m. seven days a week. It's the second rebrand for the cafe in little over a year. In October 2024, Grid Hospitality Group closed Brew on the Grid amid staffing issues. A month later, it reopened and became Brew Caf. The news is just the latest change for the string…...

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (96+ words) WEST SPRINGFIELD " One person was taken to the hospital after an apartment fire during the early morning hours Monday, officials said in a statement. Firefighters arrived at 37 Heywood Ave. around ... Firefighters quickly extinguish early morning blaze in West Springfield WEST SPRINGFIELD " One person was taken to the hospital after an apartment fire during the early morning hours Monday, officials said in a statement. Firefighters arrived at 37 Heywood Ave. around 4:26 a.m. They found smoke and flames inside an apartment and quickly put out the fire. The cause is under investigation, officials said....

5+ day, 4+ hour ago (851+ words) WEST SPRINGFIELD " The offenses were certainly feasting on Thanksgiving morning at Clark Field. Playing for the 100th time on Thanksgiving, West Springfield and Agawam combined for the second-most points in series history, but it was the host Terriers that held on late for a wild 41-40 victory to cap the 2025 season. West Springfield won for the eighth straight year on Thanksgiving, and the Terriers haven't lost to the Brownies since 2016. The 81 combined points were the second-most ever, only trailing the 2012 game " a 50-36 Agawam victory. Terriers quarterback Abel Varzeas rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries, while tailback Ben Tokarev went for 113 yards on 17 carries and three scores. "We fought today," said Varzeas, who also completed 6-of-12 passes for 84 yards. We had to battle back and forth where we were down 14-0 in the first quarter but we responded really well. We knew…...

5+ day, 4+ hour ago (597+ words) SPRINGFIELD " Christopher Albrecht spent the last year bringing 120-year-old windows back to their original glory. He restored a fleur de lis and shamrock in stained glass and made unusual discoveries. "All the glass is a quarter-inch thick. I think it helped with sound proofing," said Albrecht, owner of Chris" Carpentry, of Woodstock, Connecticut. "In one office I fund two panes (sandwiched) together in an office probably used for psychiatry to deaden the sound." Typically, window glass is 1/8th to 1/16th inch thick, so the original windows were extraordinary, he said. The job was one of many done to restore the Kilroy House, located on the grounds of Springfield Museums. The year-long project also repaired and restored the building"s terracotta roof, fixed the stucco siding and reclaimed doors. This week, city officials gathered with museum executives and volunteers to celebrate the completion…...

5+ day, 14+ hour ago (99+ words) The Agawam Brownies (5-6) will face the West Springfield Terriers (6-4) on Thursday at Clark Field in a Massachusetts high school football showdown. Opening kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 27, with a live TV broadcast on NFHS Network. " WATCH: West Springfield vs. Agawam football is livestreaming on NFHS Network What: The Agawam Brownies will face the West Springfield Terriers. When: Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, November 27. Where: Clark Field | West Springfield, Massachusetts Watch live: Watch West Springfield vs. Agawam live on the NFHS Network...