Chicopee News

When House and Senate lawmakers debated the annual budget this year, homelessness -- and what to do with the thousands of families living in motels and hotels across the state -- took center stage for lengthy debates in both branches.

CHICOPEE - Violet M. Rochon, 87, of Lavalle Avenue, died Thursday, May 24, 2012, at Birch Manor.

Sunday, May 20 4:42 p.m.: Police were requested to respond to Highland Street "for an unruly male party." Patrick H. Bradley, 54, of 16 Cleveland Ave., Braintree, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor and indecent exposure.

Marie Proulx Meder, director of the French Heritage Center that is sponsoring a aA AoeA QuA©bA©cois DanceaA A on June 10, displays some heritage items for future display.

Reggae has really only been around for about 50 years, and amazingly, Western Massachusetts best reggae band has been around for about half of that time period.

WESTFIELD - Mayor Daniel M. Knapik may manage a $120 million-plus operating budget, but when it comes to the city's top wage earners his salary ranks only 29th.

CHICOPEE - The School Committee is asking to explore the possibility of adding law classes at Chicopee and Comprehensive high schools.

CHICOPEE - Robert R. Dowds left for Vietnam in September 1969, three months after he graduated from high school.

People in a crowded hall listen to the presentation of the proposed new Chicopee Senior Center Thursday at the current senior center from Tim Eagles of edm, an architectural and engineering firm.

Many veterans, including William Collamore of Holyoke and Walter Orszak of Chicopee, said their participation in the memorial ceremony at Court Square on Friday was just a small way of saying thanks to those who sacrificed their lives for their country.

Chicopee Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette introduces the 2012 Charles H. Tracy award recipient, reitred Maj.

Szot Park groundskeeper Tom Trznadel uses a leaf blower in Chicopee in April of last year.

LUDLOW - Investigators continue to probe a single-car crash on Cady Street early Monday night that sent a 29-year-old Ludlow man to Baystate Medical Center in Chicopee with serious injuries.

A group of veterans met recently at Chicopee Savings Bank to check out their service time portraits painted on the C-5 model that will be featured in the Memorial Day parade on Monday.

Like many of this area's homegrown eateries, the Lucky Strike Restaurant in Chicopee can trace its history back to post-World War II entrepreneurial efforts.

CHICOPEE &#8211: City police are cautioning motorists to avoid Sheridan Street in the vicinity of Dewey Street, which will be closed Thursday morning as crews attempt to address a large sinkhole in the roadway.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The state unemployment rate is nearly 2 percent lower than the national average but that doesn't tell the whole story.

This month marks the 11th anniversary of Mazzoni Center 'sA Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference from May 31 to June 2 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

CHICOPEE - The Couture and Lisee families, who lost their Austin Street home in a devastating fire last month, received an outpouring of support from the community Tuesday evening when hundreds packed the Chicopee Knights of Columbus for a spaghetti fundraiser to help the families get back on their feet.

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