Paul Tuthill

Casino Vote Set In Springfield For July 16

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

The casino project proposed in Springfield Massachusetts by MGM Resorts International will be put to the city’s voters in mid-July.

The Springfield City Council has voted unanimously to set July 16^th as the date for the citywide casino referendum. The council also authorized $95,000 for a voter education campaign. Springfield Election Commissioner Gladys Oyola said her office will use direct mail, print, television and internet advertising to promote the casino vote.

Western Mass. Tourist Sites Promoted In Pennsylvania

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:49:11 +0000

A first ever collaborative effort is under way to jointly promote tourist attractions in the Berkshires and the greater Springfield area in Massachusetts.

A bus carrying two dozen people representing many of the top tourist attractions in western Massachusetts departed from the Big E fairgrounds in West Springfield Tuesday morning bound for Pennsylvania. The group has meetings scheduled over the next three days with 17 tour operators to sell the region as an ideal destination for group bus trips.

Complaints Voiced At Forum About VA Claims Backlog

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

The big backlog of claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs was highlighted at a forum Monday in western Massachusetts. The issue brought federal, state and local officials together at the state-owned Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

Guilty Pleas In Northampton Arson Deaths

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:47:44 +0000

A man has pleaded guilty to setting a series of fires over two years in a Northampton Massachusetts neighborhood including one fire that claimed two lives.

The Farm Market Season Opens

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:29:37 +0000

A very snowy winter and a chilly start to spring in the northeast,has people looking forward to the opening of farmers’ markets. The number of farmers’ markets in Massachusetts has grown in each of the last several years. The Farmers’ Market at Forest Park in Springfield opened for its 16^th season last Tuesday. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief spoke with the long time market manager Belle Rita Novak

Casino Opponents In Springfield Promise A Fight

Paul Tuthill — Mon, 13 May 2013 01:48:00 +0000

MGM Resorts must now convince voters in Springfield Massachusetts to endorse the company’s western Massachusetts casino project.

The unanimous vote for a casino development agreement with MGM by the Springfield City Council Friday night sets up a likely mid-July voter referendum. MGM has spents millions already marketing its casino plans in Springfield. But, Bishop Timothy Paul of the Council of Churchs of Western Massachusetts vows opposing voices will be heard.

Springfield City Council Approves MGM Casino Deal

Paul Tuthill — Sat, 11 May 2013 01:44:29 +0000

The casino project proposed in downtown Springfield Massachusetts by MGM Resorts International has cleared another hurdle. The city council unanimously endorsed the project Friday night and authorized a city wide voter referendum.

The vote by the Springfield City Council came after about 90 minutes of debate during a special meeting Friday night and was greeted by cheers in the packed council chambers.

Sarno Administration Ready To Answer Questions About Casino Deal

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:11:00 +0000

The mayor of Springfield Massachusetts says he is ready to defend a casino development deal that will be debated by the city council at a special meeting on Friday

Mayor Domenic Sarno said his economic development advisors and hired casino consultants will answer any questions councilors have about the host community agreement he signed last week with MGM Resorts.

Summer Jobs Program Looking For Employers

Paul Tuthill — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:44:00 +0000

Facing what experts predict will be the toughest youth job market in 40 years, a summer youth jobs campaign was launched on Wednesday in western Massachusetts.

A workforce development agency announced a goal of securing 1,000 jobs this summer for youth in Hampden County, a number only slightly higher than the 945 jobs created for young people last year.

Springfield High School English Teacher Named Mass. Teacher Of The Year

Paul Tuthill — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:32:00 +0000

A ninth grade English teacher at Springfield Central High School has been singled out for a top honor in her profession in Massachusetts.

Anne Marie Bettencourt said it was a teacher who convinced her to stay in school when she was a student at New Bedford High School. Now she pays it forward as she works in a program to improve the graduation rate at Springfield Central High School where she teaches freshman English. Bettencourt was introduced as Massachusetts Teacher of The Year at a surprise program on Tuesday in the school’s library.