Standard blog list - Stirm Group

Massachusetts Police News

Asking Eric: Step-grandmother neglected by grandkids

Dear Eric: My grandchildren are 23 and 18. I married their grandfather before they were born. I always felt like they were my grandchildren and not step-grandchildren. They have lived with their grandmother (my husband’s ex) because their mother was unable to care for them.We...

By Larry Smith

Who’s Payton Tolle? Red Sox draft pick up to 96 mph, ‘fastball moves’

Left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle, who the Red Sox selected in the second round (50th overall) out of TCU on Sunday, has been up to 96 mph with his fastball. He also mixes in four other pitches.“The unique traits for him are just the far above-average...

By Larry Smith

Red Sox draft lefty pitcher Payton Tolle with 50th overall pick

The Red Sox selected TCU left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle in the second round (50th overall) in the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday.The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder went 7-4 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 125 strikeouts and 37 walks in 14 starts (81 ⅓ innings) after transferring...

By Larry Smith

Who’s Braden Montgomery? Red Sox draft pick bashed 62 homers in college

The Red Sox selected Texas A&M power-hitting outfielder Braden Montgomery with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday.“They’re getting a winner who impacts everyone around them,” Montgomery said on a Zoom call Sunday. “I like to be loud, high energy...

By Larry Smith

Westfield Starfires end weekend with loss against Norwich Sea Unicorns

NORWICH – The Westfield Starfires dropped the first game of a three-game series with the Norwich Sea Unicorns, 7-3, on Sunday.Westfield now stands 24-16-1 in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, with 18 games remaining.The scoring came quickly for both teams. The game’s first pitch was...

By Larry Smith

Western Mass nonprofit gets $1 million to work with homeless veterans

Soldier On, a Western Massachusetts nonprofit, is the recipient of a $1 million grant to work with housing-insecure veterans.“Soldier On is acutely aware that this funding is the result of listening to the at-risk veterans and delivering services that meet their needs,” said Soldier On...

By Larry Smith

Employees speak up about bounced paychecks at South Hadley nursing home

SOUTH HADLEY — When Pioneer Valley Health & Rehabilitation was purchased by Blupoint Healthcare last February, the new owners appeared to save the nursing home from closing. Employees believed it was a step in the right direction.However, the South Hadley nursing home is now facing...

By Larry Smith

Valley Blue Sox complete weekened with comfortable win over Upper Valley Nighthawks

Behind a six-inning effort that featured three runs (two earned) and four strikeouts from starting pitcher Ethan Lyke, the Valley Blue Sox defeated the Upper Valley Nighthawks 11-5 at home Sunday afternoon.Eight of the nine starting players, including Logan Hugo (2-for-3), Michael O’Conor (2-for-4), and...

By Larry Smith

Red Sox draft powerful outfielder from Texas A&M with first-round pick

With their first pick of the 2024 MLB draft, the Red Sox selected Texas A&M outfielder Braden Montgomery at No. 12 overall.Montgomery, 21, went to high school in Mississippi and played two years at Stanford before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season. A...

By Larry Smith