Good morning, Springfield.

After storm damage on Aug.

8, Verizon responded to a Springfield homeowner’s call by scheduling a technician to remove tangled wires from her property on Mansfield Street. Local management followed up after debris was cleared to address the safety concerns.

Joanna Ballantine from the Community Foundation earned the CAP designation to boost her work with families and nonprofits in philanthropic planning.

She has built strong local relationships since 2022 in Springfield.

Springfield will remodel the aging courts at Nathan Bill Park into two tennis courts and four dedicated pickleball courts in the East Forest Park neighborhood using a $300,000 community preservation grant, with work set to commence in the spring after required permits and environmental checks are completed.

Springfield's downtown trash bins now sport playful phrases — including 'bin there, dump that' — as part of an ongoing beautification effort to keep the streets cleaner; local officials say the updated bins add a splash of personality that may boost business in the area.

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity is hosting its second annual Habitat Family Fun Fest on Saturday, Oct.

17 from noon to 4 p.m. at Vanished Valley Brewing in Ludlow (featuring free kids’ activities, raffles, craft beer and local vendor booths) to support affordable housing.

Residents in Longmeadow are frustrated by road closures from the ongoing L Project that began in April and is adding new turn lanes, signage, and bike lanes along Columbus Avenue to Englewood Road.

Early morning noise has disturbed sleep, but many locals believe the improvements will be worth the wait — a sign of progress.

Gasoline Alley Foundation sold its arts and food complex at 250 Albany St to Frank Roberts of Roberts Energy, who plans to expand his operations and keep small businesses thriving.

The sale was finalized on June 25 for $1.13 million, preserving the legacy of a 41-year local hub.

Adam Vaillancourt Roofing and Gutters has expanded with a 2,000 sqft facility (427 North Elm St.) in Westfield and will give a free roof to one local homeowner, with nominations accepted online until Sept.

30; the company will donate $25 per submission to Project New Hope.

Today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Eastern States Exposition holds a job fair at Storrowton Village to fill about 200 positions ahead of the Big E fair starting in mid-September; applicants already online can get on-site help (applications open since May 1).

A recent study shows that if Congress does not act, Social Security’s trust fund will run out by Q4, forcing a 24% cut in benefits with Massachusetts retirees losing about $527 a month.

Retirees nationwide (63 million in total) may face steep reductions while officials work to fix the shortfall.