Westfield News

Burdened with a terrible state fiscal crisis and deep cuts in local aid, the winners of today's mayoral elections in Western Massachusetts will be dealing with some of the worst fiscal conditions in decades, observers said on Monday.

This year's political campaign season ends today when Western Massachusetts voters head to the polls.

WESTFIELD IS ONE OF VERY FEW COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE SWINE FLU VACCINE. AND, YESTERDAY, 12 HUNDRED KIDS GOT THE FIRST ROUND OF SHOTS.

The cafeteria at South Middle School turned into a massive swine flu shot clinic Thursday afternoon with at least 50 volunteers prepared to administer 1,200 doses of the vaccine to elementary school aged children.

Mayor-elect Daniel M. Knapik began launching his campaign promise to reactivate the long-dormant Industrial Development Commission, part of his efforts to attract new business to the city.

New Mayors but Old Pros---that was the call of the day as western Mass went to the polls Tuesday.

Daniel M. Knapik reacts Tuesday upon hearing that he has been elected mayor of Westfield, defeating incumbent Michael R. Boulanger.

Westfield voter Kenneth S. Andwood, standing, checks in Tuesday morning at Munger Hill Elementary School with election workers Florence A. White, left, and Suzanne Adams, right, while Warden Judith A. Matyseck stands by.

Forty-one percent of the city's electorate, or about 9,565 voters, are expected to cast ballots in Tuesday's city elections.

This weekend a neighborhood in Westfield reflects on the tragic deaths of a mother and son that were killed on Halloween night.

As Gov. Deval Patrick prepares to narrow the $600 million budget shortfall, mentally ill residents and their advocates say they are bracing for slow processing of disability claims, as well as cuts that could eliminate services.

Health and School Department officials have scheduled a swine flu shot clinic, targeting school children from kindergarten to Grade 5 for Thursday at the South Middle School on West Silver Street.

Westfield residents are lucky to have two first-rate candidates for mayor on Nov.

The Home Depot hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday for the distribution center the company is building in the Campanelli Business Park off ServiStar Industrial Way.

Hundreds of new jobs are coming to Hampden County. The economy may be down, but Westfield and Home Depot are breaking ground on a $30 million facility.

A spate of vehicle break-ins in recent weeks have prompted police to urge residents to keep their vehicles locked at all times.

Matching state money was cut sharply for 65 communities that have approved a law for buying open space, marking the second year in a row of declining state contributions for the program.

Braintree-based commercial real estate and construction firm Campanelli Cos. has sold a 71.67-acre site in Westfield to The Home Depot for $5.77 million.

Interstate 391 was essentially closed Monday morning, from Exit 2 to the Holyoke line, as state police dealt with a spate of mostly minor accidents due to black ice.

A 23-year-old city man, stabbed three times during a fight early Sunday morning on Elm Street, was treated at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield and released.