Good morning, Springfield.

The Pan African Historical Museum is seeking about $3,300 to cover unpaid rent and launched a fundraising drive that has raised $1,000 from 11 donors; it will hold a fundraiser Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Tower Square (tours of three galleries and info on programs).

Trick-or-treating is today, and first responders warn that heavy foot and party traffic (especially in East Forest Park, where up to 1,000 children may go out) could raise the risk of vehicle-pedestrian crashes; they urge drivers to slow down and kids to use sidewalks and carry lights.

The YMCA of Greater Westfield began demolishing Camp Shepard’s 1970s bathhouse on Oct.

22 and has started construction on a new welcome center, office, covered pavilion, and bathhouse. The upgrades will let the 155-acre camp serve up to 300 children daily and open year-round, with a $155,000 TruNorth gift toward a $3 million campaign (more than $1 million raised so far).

A player at MGM Springfield won a $20,000 jackpot after a $25 spin on a Super Star Poker slot on Aug.

29, MGM says; the casino houses more than 1,500 slot machines and paid out over $100 million in jackpots in 2025.

A player at MGM Springfield won a $10,811.29 jackpot after a $5.28 Coin Combo slot bet (Sept.

6), among the casino's more than 1,500 slot machines and following a year when MGM paid out over $100 million in jackpots in 2025.

About 60 parents and educators pressed the School Committee at a town hall on Oct.

22 about a paused AI pilot at Kiley Prep; the committee said AI must be supplementary, not a replacement for teachers, and urged people to bring concerns to upcoming SEZP board meetings.

Gerena Community School kindergarten teacher Desiree Garcia was named Massachusetts 2026 Teacher of the Year at a surprise ceremony Oct.

29 at Gerena, where Gov. Maura Healey and state officials praised her bilingual classroom work and presented a $10,000 grant to the school (Garcia is now the state's candidate for National Teacher of the Year).

The owners of the former Vibra Hospital on State Street have paid the costs required by a Housing Court agreement (signed last month), and city crews have cleared overgrown vegetation and trash in front of the site while cleanup in the rear continues.

State officials broke ground Oct.

29 in Pittsfield on rail improvements to support permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service, including a passing track near Richmond and upgrades at CSX’s Pittsfield Yard to boost capacity and reduce delays. MassDOT has budgeted $31 million in its FY 2027-31 plan and is studying a second platform at Pittsfield Station.

Local teams advanced to Western Mass finals: Springfield Central beat Amherst and will play Longmeadow Saturday at 10 a.m. at Chicopee Comp + East Longmeadow will face Ludlow at noon + Lee will meet Renaissance at 4 p.m.