Alison Silber Closes Firm; Coyne Wehrli Family Law and Mediation Forms

LONGMEADOW — The Law Offices of Alison Silber announced that the firm will close following Silber’s appointment to the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. For more than a dozen years, Silber has dedicated her career to representing individuals and families throughout Western Mass. in divorce, custody, support, and other family law matters. Her appointment to the bench reflects a distinguished legal career marked by professionalism, integrity, and service to the community. As Silber transitions to her new role, attorneys Katherine Coyne and Danielle Wehrli announced the formation of Coyne Wehrli Family Law and Mediation, a new firm dedicated exclusively to family law and mediation. Coyne and Wehrli have worked alongside Silber for many years and have extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of family law litigation and dispute resolution. Together, along with associate attorney Sara Sam-Njgou, they remain dedicated to serving families throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. Coyne Wehrli Family Law and Mediation will continue to assist individuals and families with divorce, custody and parenting issues, child support, alimony, modifications, contempt actions, prenuptial agreements, and mediation.

Lilla Swedish Candy to Open in Thornes in July

NORTHAMPTON — A Whately couple with several successful online businesses will, in July, expand its Lilla Swedish Candy store to a physical shop on the lower level of Thornes Marketplace. Nic Jansson and Holly Berrigan will serve as co-owners for their first brick-and-mortar store, which will carry sweets from Sweden as well as the rest of Europe. Lilla will offer a pick and mix experience in 60 to 85 bins of candy on the shelves, which will be sold by the ounce, as well as some pre-packaged candy. Jansson describes the sweets as gummy-style candy, both sweet and sour, and candy that is foamy, or chewy, with some hard candies in a wide range of fruit flavors with some chocolate, salty licorice, and other popular styles as well. Jansson and Berrigan also own a natural wine marketplace, MYSA Natural Wine, which they launched in 2019 and sell at mysa.wine, and Jansson operates a sales and marketing consulting company called HOLLAS. The business will be located on the lower level of Thornes, in the former home of Captain Candy.

Rocky’s Ace Hardware Nears $225,000 Raised for Shelters

MANCHESTER, Conn. – Rocky’s Ace Hardware announced that its “Round Up for Pets” fundraiser has raised $224,574 for animal shelters and rescue organizations since the campaign launched. The annual initiative invites customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar at checkout, with 100% of proceeds donated directly to local shelters in the communities Rocky’s serves across Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The most recent fundraiser generated nearly $45,650 for local animal organizations that provide food, medical care, shelter, and adoption services for rescued and surrendered pets. Donations remain local to the communities where they are raised. Benefiting organizations have included Dakin Humane Society in Western Mass., the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, and Florida rescue organizations including Furry Friends Adoption and Dogs and Cats Forever.

T-Birds Honored with Awards at AHL Team Business Meetings

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds were honored among their peers with multiple award recognitions at the 2026 AHL Team Business Meetings presented by Victory Live in Grand Rapids, Mich. Both the T-Birds’ ticket sales and corporate sales departments received awards for reaching milestone benchmarks for the 2025-26 regular season. The ticket sales department hit the threshold of 600 new full-season equivalents, the industry standard for measuring full- and partial-season ticket sales. That excellence in acquiring new ticket holders played a pivotal role in the T-Birds achieving 18 sellout crowds inside the MassMutual Center and an average capacity of 92.1%, or 6,258 fans. On the corporate arm of the business, the T-Birds were recognized for achieving a renewal rate exceeding 90% in corporate cash accounts. In addition, for a third consecutive season, Matthew McRobbie earned top-three marks in the AHL’s Eastern Conference for corporate sales revenue. 

Country Bank Named Among Best Regional Banks, Credit Unions

WARE — Country Bank announced it has been named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions 2026 list. Presented by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group, the ranking recognizes institutions that drive local economic growth through small business support, community investment, and expanded access to everyday banking services. The annual ranking recognizes institutions that earn customer trust through strong financial performance, high satisfaction, and meaningful community engagement. Country Bank stands among the most well-capitalized banks in Massachusetts, with a 93% customer satisfaction rating and more than $1 million annually in charitable donations and sponsorships supporting local communities. This recognition follows a year of continued growth and innovation at Country Bank, as the 176-year-old organization expands access to personalized financial services through its branch network, business offices, and digital offerings.

MCLA Enrollment Grows for Second Consecutive Year

NORTH ADAMS — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) reported that deposits for the incoming class are up 20% over last year, marking the second consecutive year of enrollment growth. That growth is happening against a backdrop where the college-age population is declining nationally. High-school graduation numbers in Berkshire County have been falling for years. Even so, MCLA has 94 deposits from the Berkshire region this cycle, up 29% from last year. The growth reflects a deliberate shift in how MCLA approaches recruitment. Rather than casting a wide net, the college focused on reaching the right-fit students more often and more authentically, a strategy built for a generation that grew up digitally with handheld devices. Program-level demand is also driving the numbers. Nursing deposits have jumped from 13 to 30, more than doubling compared to last year. Psychology is close behind, up from 12 to 18, a 50% increase. Both programs reflect students’ growing focus on careers in health and human services. This summer, MCLA will continue to receive deposits from Hampshire College and Anna Maria College transfer students. As the college reviews and accepts those applications, enrollment is expected to climb further.

UMass Programs Recognized in U.S. News Global Rankings

AMHERST — The UMass Amherst agricultural sciences and food sciences and technology programs have again been ranked among the top 10 worldwide in the 2026-27 Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings were based on a methodology using data and metrics from Clarivate, which weighs factors measuring a university’s global and regional research reputation and academic research performance. The Department of Food Science — the oldest of its kind in the country, with internationally recognized faculty members who have made significant contributions to the field — again ranked first in the U.S. and fifth globally out of 250 institutions in the Food Science and Technology category. UMass Amherst’s food science program has placed among the top 10 in the global rankings since 2018 and has placed first in the U.S. at least five times. For the seventh consecutive year, UMass Amherst maintained its top ranking in the U.S. and eighth globally in the Agricultural Sciences category, which includes horticulture, food science and nutrition, dairy science, and agronomy programs at 500 institutions.

Bay Path University Recognized for Teacher Preparation

LONGMEADOW — The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Bay Path University has earned an ‘A’ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for how well it prepares future teachers to teach reading to elementary students. The report, “Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,” published on June 9, spotlights Bay Path for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read. Bay Path was one of only six programs in Massachusetts to receive a grade of ‘A’ or higher and the only program in Western Mass. to earn that distinction. Bay Path’s program places undergraduates in local school districts, including Springfield Public Schools, Longmeadow Public Schools, West Springfield Public Schools, and the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District, where they gain hands-on experience through practicums and fieldwork in early childhood and elementary education settings.

Springfield College Awarded Grant for Early Literacy Prep Programs

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College Department of Education has been awarded a $56,225 grant from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation to support its early literacy preparation programs. The funding supports a project that will partner the college’s teacher candidates with HILL for Literacy, a leading Massachusetts literacy organization that collaborates closely with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and school districts across the state. Together, the two groups will provide 10 professional learning sessions for the college’s teacher candidates focused on curriculum literacy and the effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials, with a particular focus on Core Knowledge Language Arts, a curriculum used by many of the college’s district partners. The work will be embedded directly into the required literacy coursework during the 2026-27 academic year. In the fall, Springfield College’s undergraduate students in education will participate in a sequence focused on understanding curriculum design and instructional coherence. In the spring, the sophomore cohort will continue into a second sequence focused on implementation, differentiation, and responsive instruction for diverse learners. In addition to supporting candidate learning, the grant includes funding for interdisciplinary research, student participation in a spring conference presentation, and an end-of-year symposium that will bring together campus leaders, district partners, literacy organizations, and state-level stakeholders to share findings and lessons learned.

Square One Settles Strike with Union Workers

SPRINGFIELD — Following a labor strike that began on June 2, Square One leadership announced on June 12 that an agreement had been reached, and early education staff, van drivers, and food service workers returned to work. Under the terms of the ratified contract, unionized staff received an immediate 9% increase, followed by 3% increases on July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2027. The organization also negotiated a higher starting wage. “We will continue to encourage our staff to take advantage of the tuition reimbursement, financial incentives for increasing credential attainment, and flexible hours to pursue their higher education. We know this will greatly benefit them individually and will be an asset for our children as their early education and care needs continue to evolve,” Square One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano said. “As I have said throughout the negotiating process, I have the utmost respect for the work that our teachers, drivers, and food service providers do each and every day. They are beloved by our children and families and cherished by myself, my fellow leaders, board of directors, staff, and volunteers. I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that benefits our team while protecting Square One’s financial stability.”

MBK Hosts Final Leg of Law Enforcement Torch Run

HOLYOKE — On June 3, Meyers Brothers Kalicka P.C. (MBK) hosted its second annual rally for the final leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Massachusetts, welcoming the team known as the Guardians of the Flame, law enforcement members, and Special Olympic athletes as they carried the Flame of Hope to Boston for the opening ceremony. The event was held at PeoplesBank headquarters, spearheaded by Lauren Foley and Christopher Soderberg, supervisors at MBK. Together, they brought professionals from MBK and neighboring businesses together for an afternoon of cheering, learning about the Law Enforcement Torch Run, and connecting with Special Olympics athletes and law enforcement officers during a meet-and-greet.

ArchitectureEL, VOC Partner on New Housing Opportunity

HOLYOKE — ArchitectureEL (AEL) announced its partnership with Valley Opportunity Council (VOC) on the adaptive reuse of a former neighborhood convenience store in Holyoke, transforming the long-vacant commercial space into a new residential apartment. The project represents another step forward in addressing housing needs while revitalizing underutilized properties throughout the city. Valley Opportunity Council, a long-standing community action agency dedicated to expanding opportunities and improving quality of life throughout Greater Hampden County, has a strong history of supporting housing initiatives and neighborhood investment. The organization’s mission includes helping individuals and families achieve greater stability and independence through housing and community development programs. The project adds to ArchitectureEL’s growing portfolio of work throughout Holyoke. The firm has played a significant role in numerous public and community-focused projects across the city, including work for the city of Holyoke, the Holyoke Housing Authority, Holyoke Public Schools, and other local institutions. Recent projects have included historic renovations, building upgrades, roof replacements, HVAC improvements, and other investments that help preserve and strengthen the city’s built environment.

Armbrook Village Named Best Senior Living Community

WESTFIELD — Armbrook Village has earned the honor of U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Senior Living award in all three categories — Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care — in the publication’s fifth annual year assessment of assisted living communities. Best Senior Living ratings are based on multiple aspects of a resident’s daily life. Considered categories include dining experiences, programming, safety, and the overall value of care given to each resident. “Between movie nights, educational lectures, art classes, and book clubs, Armbrook Village is known for its engaging social programming,” the facility stated. “With various brain-healthy choices on the community’s menus and an enthusiastic dining staff, a fine dining experience is offered to all residents at each meal. Caregivers are available 24/7, ensuring a safe environment for all residents and peace of mind for families.”

Eversource Introduces New Tool for Storm Response

BOSTON — As severe weather events grow more frequent and electric systems become increasingly complex, Eversource is introducing its new Wareham Electric Training Center, a first-of-its-kind facility designed to improve storm response, enhance electric reliability, and prepare the next generation of highly skilled electric workers. Built inside a former movie theater and transformed into a 29,000-square-foot operations and training complex, the facility represents one of Eversource’s most significant investments in workforce readiness and emergency preparedness in Massachusetts. The center will serve as both the company’s premier electric training facility and a regional storm response hub where crews, equipment, and restoration resources can be strategically staged before and after major weather events impacting Southeastern Mass., the South Coast, and Cape Cod. The Wareham center will also play an important role during major weather events. By serving as a storm response staging hub, the facility allows Eversource to strategically position crews, specialized equipment, and restoration materials closer to areas expected to be impacted by severe weather, improving coordination and supporting faster restoration efforts once conditions are safe.