Samantha O'Connor
Content Producer
Springfield, MA
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Updated: 14 hours ago
|By Leon Purvis and Samantha O'Connor
Many people are traveling to go see fireworks tonight, while others are going home after a long weekend.
Updated: 14 hours ago
|By Paris Dunford, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Erik Rosario
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.
Updated: 16 hours ago
|By Leon Purvis, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Erik Rosario
Fifty-four people from twenty-seven different countries just became American citizens here in western Massachusetts on this Fourth of July holiday.
Updated: 16 hours ago
|By Libby James and Samantha O'Connor
Residents came out to celebrate Independence Day after Sunday night’s annual fireworks display.
Updated: 16 hours ago
|By Tessa Kielbasa and Samantha O'Connor
Monday night, the park will have fireworks starting at 9:15 p.m.
Updated: 20 hours ago
|By Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeremy Fair
Police said that this is an active investigation.
Updated: 22 hours ago
|By Samantha O'Connor
The bridge will be closed to motor vehicles as well as bicycles, pedestrians, and other forms of transportation.
Updated: Jul. 3, 2022 at 2:06 PM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor
A woman accused the suspect of being threatening and said that he had attempted to get her in the rear alley of Maple and Cabot Streets.
Updated: Jul. 3, 2022 at 11:48 AM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor
According to Springfield Fire officials, crews responded just before 8 a.m. Sunday morning after a tree fell on a garage.
Updated: Jul. 3, 2022 at 9:41 AM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeremy Fair
No injuries have been reported, but two people have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross.
Updated: Jul. 2, 2022 at 7:56 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Photojournalist: Andrew Evans and Samantha O'Connor
Amtrak's Public Relations Manager says the person was allegedly trespassing on the tracks before being struck
Updated: Jul. 2, 2022 at 6:30 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Leon Purvis and Samantha O'Connor
Despite the cloudy and rainy weather, folks still came out to Six Flags New England for their July 4th Fest, some hoping to see the fireworks.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 10:18 PM EDT
|By Lexi Oliver, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Josh Daley
Chicopee Mayor John Vieau met with community members of Ward 6 at Litwin Elementary School Wednesday night as part of his Spring Neighborhood Meetings, which he started last month to listen to and discuss concerns of residents across the city.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 9:16 PM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor and Paris Dunford
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.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 8:53 PM EDT
|By Mary Wilson and Samantha O'Connor
No one was hurt and the cause is unknown.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:57 PM EDT
|By Tessa Kielbasa and Samantha O'Connor
Officials said the items were found while officers were arresting four people in Indian Orchard as part of an ongoing investigation.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:34 PM EDT
|By Hugh Zeitlin, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Rich Crane
Western Mass News is taking you town by town to Springfield, West Springfield, and Granby.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:25 PM EDT
|By Paris Dunford, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeff Kurowski
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.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:23 PM EDT
|By Kristin Burnell, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
The blast was pinpointed to South Hadley where fire investigators said a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher exploded at the demolition site of the company, E. Ink.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:22 PM EDT
|By Raegan Loughrey, Samantha O'Connor and Bob Hastings
Following a fatal shooting this weekend in Chicopee, Western Mass News decided to check in with police about concerns regarding gun violence in the city.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 6:20 PM EDT
|By Hugh Zeitlin and Samantha O'Connor
The attorney for a former Greenfield Police officer who won a racial discrimination case against the city told Western Mass News that a motion has been filed asking for a new trial.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 5:57 PM EDT
|By Tessa Kielbasa and Samantha O'Connor
The Baker Administration announced Wednesday that Massachusetts residents can now use their electronic benefits transfer to buy groceries online at Geissler’s.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 5:14 PM EDT
|By Joe Chaisson and Samantha O'Connor
40-year-old Timothy Tatro of Pittsfield was found guilty of a single count of assault with a dangerous weapon and violating an abuse prevention order.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 5:00 PM EDT
|By Libby James and Samantha O'Connor
Many have concerns that the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on the sale of Juul e-cigarette products, currently under review by a federal appeals court, will not stop kids from getting their hands on other vape products.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 4:58 PM EDT
|By Raegan Loughrey and Samantha O'Connor
Western Mass News decided to get answers from local officials to find out why so many billboards in our area are advertising the illegal product sold in bordering states.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 4:19 PM EDT
|By Paris Dunford, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeff Kurowski
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.
Updated: Jun. 29, 2022 at 4:18 PM EDT
|By Kristin Burnell, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
Western Mass News spoke with Springfield Police’s Public Information Officer to find out what they know so far about the car that was pulled out of the water Tuesday night at Watershops Pond.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 11:11 PM EDT
|By Lexi Oliver and Samantha O'Connor
Dominick Gardner’s sister Nakkia organized the vigil at Memorial Field in Webster because she tells us Dominick played football there when he was younger.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 11:09 PM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor
Numerous Springfield crews responded to Alden Street Tuesday night in the area of Watershops Pond.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 8:21 PM EDT
|By Joe Chaisson and Samantha O'Connor
35-year-old Marvin Ortega was sentenced to 30 months in prison and two years of supervised release.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 8:17 PM EDT
|By Joe Chaisson and Samantha O'Connor
64-year-old Brian Cooper was sentenced in federal court in Springfield to 15 years in prison with 5 years of supervised release.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:35 PM EDT
|By Libby James and Samantha O'Connor
Arianna Hopkins, a recent graduate from West Springfield Middle School, has made it her mission to do good in the community.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:34 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
After receiving multiple reports across town, the Longmeadow Police Department took to Facebook to alert the community about the situation.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:34 PM EDT
|By Joe Chaisson, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
Western Mass News is taking you town by town to Holyoke and Chicopee.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:30 PM EDT
|By Kristin Burnell and Samantha O'Connor
Western Mass News is checking in with a local attorney to find out what laws are in place for teen drivers who just obtained their license.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:29 PM EDT
|By Paris Dunford, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeff Kurowski
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.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 6:23 PM EDT
|By Hugh Zeitlin, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
In Chicopee, a new study revealed the economic impact that the Westover Municipal Development Corporation has on the region.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 4:56 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
We spoke with the president of the Chicopee Education Association who said that while she is disappointed by the announcement, she is not surprised and hopes that her district will receive the support they need to keep kids in the classroom.
Updated: Jun. 28, 2022 at 4:34 PM EDT
|By Kristin Burnell and Samantha O'Connor
After Sunday’s fatal crash that claimed the lives of three teenagers and severely injured a fourth, many are thinking about teen driving safety.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 10:22 PM EDT
|By Mary Wilson and Samantha O'Connor
Over the course of those three days, troopers seized more than 1,500 items including large rockets, fountains, and roman candles.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 10:17 PM EDT
|By Paris Dunford and Samantha O'Connor
The veterans hospital set to close in Leeds will now remain open, a great victory for local veterans and legislators.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 7:10 PM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor
Two occupants were brought to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 6:37 PM EDT
|By Joe Chaisson, Samantha O'Connor, Bob Hastings and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
Western Mass News is taking you town by town to Holyoke, Springfield, and Westfield.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 6:36 PM EDT
|By Paris Dunford and Samantha O'Connor
Monday’s meeting was with the City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Fire Commissioner BJ Calvi answered questions about their 911 dispatch center.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 6:35 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
The Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield will close its doors later this week as state officials prepare to conduct a deep clean of a building plagued by dangerous mold.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 6:00 PM EDT
|By Samantha O'Connor
AIR faced opposition from 12 bipartisan senators, therefore signifying the commission’s end. Without the Senate’s approval the VA Mission Act process will not move forward.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 5:43 PM EDT
|By Kristin Burnell, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Jeff Kurowski
Community members paid their respects at a memorial that now stands among the trees where the crash happened.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 5:01 PM EDT
|By Libby James and Samantha O'Connor
Western Mass News is getting answers from city officials about what is causing pipes to break.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 5:01 PM EDT
|By Livi Stanford and Samantha O'Connor
Monday marked 22 years since Heather’s sister, Molly, disappeared from her lifeguard post at Comins Pond and was never seen again. Her remains were found years later, however her murder remains unsolved.
Updated: Jun. 27, 2022 at 4:24 PM EDT
|By Matt Sottile, Samantha O'Connor and Photojournalist: Kevin Culverhouse
We brought our questions to elected officials who have spearheaded efforts to crack down on these illegal dirt bikes to find out whether dirt bikes can be destroyed around here and what steps they are taking to try to change that.