Monson News

One year after a tornado ravaged the Central Massachusetts community of Monson, it remains a tale of two towns; Progress for some residents in their efforts to rebuild and a stalled return to normalcy for others.

In this June 1, 2011 file photo, the steeple of The First Church of Monson lies in rubble on the ground after a tornado blew through.

The town's oldest church became a disaster relief center after the June 1, 2011 storm that destroyed 40 homes in Monson and left three people dead across Massachusetts.

Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray joined state Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey in Springfield yesterday to award $1.35 million in reimbursements to the city to repair damage from the June 1 tornado.

Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Safety and Security, left, listens during a meeting of concerned officials and agencies about the continuing efforts to heal the wounds of the areas of West Springfield affected by the June 1 tornado.

She said family members, including children, were home at the time the fire broke out.

One year after deadly tornadoes swept through western and central Massachusetts, state officials have outlined additional aid for many affected communities.

Tod O'Brien remembers nearly every detail of the day the tornado blew through his neighborhood a year ago.

Walking down Washington Street in Monson with free water and work gloves are volunteers Davis Johnson, Donna Beck and Luke Sullivan, all Monson residents and members of the First Church of Monson, which was also damaged by the June 1 tornado.

ARMED FORCES Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Brian A. Como Jr., son of Brian Como Sr.

MONSON - Residents of Monson are invited to attend the final public workshop for the first phase of tornado recovery planning on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the selectmen's meeting room in the Hillside Building, 29 Thompson St.

This is a view of homes along Roosevelt Avenue from Wendover Road the day the tornado hit last year, above, and as they look now, below, nearly a year later.

In this June 8, 2011 file photo, Diana Robbins, left, and her friend Pia Rogers, center, hug as Pia's neighbor Dwight Meacham, right, sits in front of Rogers' destroyed home after a Tornado blew through Monson, Mass., on June 1, 2011.

Although It has been almost a year since the tornadoes hit Central Massachusetts, about 5 p.m. on June 1, 2011, when many lives were changed forever.

MONSON - From steampunk and Kindles to cougars and teddy bears, Monson Free Library is likely to be a busy place to be this summer.

Judy Berg Kohn is leading the effort to save the 140-year-old Trinitarian Congregational Church.

The Bondsville Fire and Water District will hold its annual meeting and election on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the district complex on Main Street.

Professional organizer MJ Rosenthal and one of the godfathers of email, Shiva Ayyadurai, take your calls on managing your overloaded inboxes.

Bianca Roncarati, 7, of Monson, stands with her creation for ArtBeat, a children's art show.

PALMER - The Town Council gave the OK for the town manager to authorize a tax increment financing agreement for 10 years with Polymer Corp.