Paris Dunford
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Paris Dunford joined the Western Mass News team in June of 2021 as a morning reporter.
Paris is excited to return to her home state of Massachusetts. Before coming to Western Mass News, she was a multimedia journalist in the mountains of West Virginia for WVNS-TV.
During her time in West Virginia, Paris was passionate about telling the community's stories and covering all the latest crime in the area.
Paris moved here with her fiancé, Zack and her two dogs, Mully and Boomer. When she's not live in the morning shows, Paris can be found out walking her dogs or checking out a local restaurant.
Paris is thrilled to be back in New England and can't wait to tell your story! You can connect with Paris on Facebook or Twitter.
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The city of Springfield was in the Fourth of July spirit Monday night for their annual event Star Spangled Springfield.
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The park already started filling up in the afternoon with people staking out their spots to get the best view of the fireworks which start at 9:30 p.m.
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Litigation has been ongoing for years, about the reliability of breathalyzer tests in the Baystate.
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Plans for a proposed for a new courthouse in Springfield unveiled
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The Massachusetts House of Representatives has officially passed legislation that will provide legal protections to out-of-state patients traveling to the Bay State for abortion-related care.
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With the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, what could be next? Concerns are growing that same-sex marriage and contraception could be in jeopardy.
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Lawmakers said that this legislation would further protect doctors who administer abortions, and women who come from others state to Massachusetts to get an abortion.
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Dominick Gardner just finished his junior year at Tantasqua Regional High School. His sisters spoke exclusively with Western Mass News Tuesday about how great of a kid he was and how much he is already missed.
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The veterans hospital set to close in Leeds will now remain open, a great victory for local veterans and legislators.
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Monday’s meeting was with the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi answered questions about their 911 dispatch center.
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Community members gathered Sunday in support of their friend who was injured in a motorcycle accident.
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Governor Charlie Baker signed an executive order on Friday to protect women’s rights to abortion.
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Governor Charlie Baker signed an executive order Friday morning after learning about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
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The case brought in front of the supreme court was the National Rifle Association’s affiliate New York State Rifle & Pistol Association vs. New York State. It focused on a century old New York law that requires gun owners to show ‘proper cause’ to carry a handgun in public.
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The ruling will have an effect on the nation’s gun laws, including in Massachusetts.
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A Belchertown woman said she was attacked by a fisher cat and now, she may need her foot amputated.
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Over the weekend, a driver hit a man on a bicycle in Granby and forced him off the road. Now, the town’s police chief is asking for the public’s help.
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Local pediatrician offices and other vaccination sites are preparing for an influx of patients following the CDC’s recommendation of the COVID-19 vaccine for those 6 months and older.
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A monumental step in the fight against COVID-19 was taken Tuesday as children ages six months and up can now get vaccinated.
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One local expert said that this move may seem like a great thing, but it will not be much at the end of the day.
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The Thunderbirds won 5 to 4 in overtime in Game 1 on Sunday against the Chicago Wolves.
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If you’re traveling through West Springfield, from Westfield or Springfield, you may be experiencing some delays.
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The FDA has authorized the COVID-19 vaccine for the youngest population in the upcoming week.
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A Western Mass News viewer reached out to us looking for help, as she’s trying to adjust her lifestyle, to adapt to the rising costs of just about everything. We did some research and found resources that may help her and other senior citizens.
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State officials reported Thursday that a seventh case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Massachusetts.
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They said that some changes caused by the legislation have people waiting months for affordable housing.
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Holyoke Public Schools could see a big change in the next year.
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Part of the police reform bill passed in 2020 required more training of police officers across the state.
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A Western Mass News viewer from East Longmeadow reached out to our newsroom, frustrated with how his trash has sat at the end of his driveway for what he said is far too long and he’s not alone.
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The Springfield Police Department seized 6 guns out of the hands of 5 men, all who they said are repeat offenders.
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In the Westfield high school auditorium, community members anxiously waited to view the end result of a three-year-long project.
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“Stop texting. Stop the distracted driving. Please, save motorcyclists’ lives,” said Haymond.
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A deadly crash Friday morning in East Longmeadow is under investigation.
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Shocking new data shows the number of opioid related deaths increased in the Bay State over the last year.
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A crash involving a Holyoke DPW truck and a motorcyclist has residents talking about the speeding issues on Dwight Street in Holyoke.
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A concerned parent reached out to our newsroom after a student brought a BB gun inside her daughter’s school.
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New details are emerging from the deadly crash in Holyoke on Sunday.
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There is a heavy police presence along a busy Holyoke roadway.
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We spoke with local police to see what their protocols are for an active shooter inside a school building.
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Local school officials are taking a hard look at their active shooter drills currently in place.
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A former employee of the cannabis dispensary HEKA Incorporated, out of Westfield, sent Western Mass News a video of the cannabis plants at the growing facility. They report seeing spider mites, mold, and mildew, covering the marijuana plant.
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One organization said the Tulsa shooting marks the twentieth mass shooting since the massacre in Uvalde, TX last week.
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Alexander Yee was arrested in Milford, Massachusetts, while he was out on bail for multiple crimes he allegedly committed here in the western part of the state.
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Ryan O’Farrell was in court Tuesday for charges related to this latest crash. One local motorcycle rider said accidents like these are becoming far too common.
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A Rhode Island man charged with driving under influence and allegedly crashing into a group of motorcyclists and endangering two children in his car appeared in court on Tuesday.
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Local officials said these threats are becoming increasingly more common, and they tend to increase around high-profile events like the tragic one in Texas.
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“It’s a privilege to carry a gun in the state of Massachusetts. We have a strict standard and it works well,” said Chief Validas.
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In the wake of the Texas school shooting, Western Mass News is looking at the role resource officers play in local schools and, more importantly, what is their training in these active shooter situations.
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Two local retired law enforcement officers started the company four years ago to help teachers, students, and staff protect themselves if a tragedy like this one were to ever take place here.
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In the wake of the tragedy in Texas, many local school officials are reminding their communities of their own safety protocols.