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Today’s edition · Fri., Nov. 13

Baystate says Mercy patient problems are easing after takeover

Plus, West Springfield lands $30 million to replace two rail crossings with an overpass.

The Springfield Morning News team2 stories16 sources5 min read

HealthTop story

Baystate says Mercy patient problems are easing after the Nov. 1 takeover

Baystate's Mercy takeover and records switch began Nov. 1

  1. Nov. 1Baystate takes over Mercy Medical Center and starts its Oracle Health system.
  2. Nov. 2Baystate holds a ceremony for the Mercy takeover.
  3. Nov. 10Baystate says in a statement that the new system is improving every day.
  4. Nov. 12Gemme says patient problems are becoming less common.

Sources: Western Mass News, MassLive.com

If you're a Mercy patient who hit snags, Baystate Health says they're fading. Baystate took over Mercy Medical Center on Nov. 1 and switched on a new Oracle Health records system the same weekend. Patients reported being unable to schedule appointments, then better access this week. Dr. Seth Gemme, Baystate's chief physician executive, said the problems are becoming less common. They were "a bigger issue when we went live," he said.

In its written statement Tuesday, Baystate acknowledged "a longer registration process and extended wait times." It said it has added staffers, including people from Oracle. Gemme said Baystate kept many Mercy providers.

About a dozenMercy physicians and advanced practice providers who chose not to join Baystate

Gemme said Baystate retained many of the Mercy providers.

Source: Western Mass News

  • Hotline: 800-243-8483
  • New portal: Baystate patients moved to it Nov. 1; register for it
  • Older Mercy results: still in the former Epic portal
  • No doctor? Call a Baystate practice, ask for the next available appointment
  • More help: baystatehealth.org/mybaystatehealth

West Springfield

West Springfield lands $30 million to replace two blocked rail crossings with an overpass

If you cross Front Street into Agawam, relief is coming, just not soon. Massachusetts has secured $30 million in federal funding to replace two railroad crossings near the with an overpass. Trains entering and leaving the terminal block them multiple times a day. The project also continues to lay the groundwork for Compass Rail, MassDOT's program for future West-East passenger rail linking Albany, Springfield, and Boston.

Federal money would replace two crossings that trains block

$30 million
in federal funding for the crossing project
2
railroad crossings the overpass would replace
5 min–1.5 hrs
waits when a train blocks the crossing, per the mayor
$320 million+
total federal funding awarded for Compass Rail

Sources: The Reminder, BusinessWest, westernmassnews.com

Mayor Will Reichelt told The Reminder that construction would start around 2028 and take about two years, but "those are all just guesses right now."

  • Main route: 2nd Street over the tracks toward Bridge Street
  • Possible routes: three so far, per Reichelt
  • Partners: MassDOT, CSX, Agawam and West Springfield

The Front Street overpass is funded but years from opening

  1. 2024West Springfield announces the project.
  2. Oct. 2026The state secures $30 million in federal funding for it.
  3. 2028Construction would start around 2028 and take about two years, per the mayor's guess.

Sources: The Reminder, BusinessWest, westernmassnews.com

Asked

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Asked

How often do you drive across the Front Street rail crossing?

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News Notes

Pynchon Medal

Gianna Allentuck, Ronald Berger, David Cecchi and Philip Glynn received the William Pynchon Medal Thursday evening. The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts has given the award for more than a century. WWLP

Alden Baptist

Shawn Kennedy, Ricky McKenzie and Tishawn Gayle, known as the Sons of Springfield, have returned home to help restore their childhood church, Alden Baptist Church. WWLP

Dakin awards

The Dakin Humane Society in Springfield presented six awards to community members and leaders making a difference for people and animals. WWLP

Equine Affaire

Equine Affaire has returned to The Big E fairgrounds in West Springfield for four days of equestrian activities, educational programs and shopping. WWLP

Grocery prices

Groceries cost 1.8 percent more in September than a year earlier, according to the USDA, which projects a 2.3 percent rise for the year. Western Mass News

Sugar and sweets are projected to rise 6.5%, the most of these groceries

Source: Western Mass News

View as table
Value
Sugar and sweets (projected)6.5%
Vegetables5.8%
Drinks, coffee (projected)4.4%
Fruit2.9%

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Around Massachusetts

Class B title

South Hadley won its first Western Mass. Class B football championship Thursday night. It beat Springfield International Charter School, 22-0, on a rainy night. Linebacker Joe Quatacker came around after a third-quarter tackle before leaving in an ambulance. MassLive.comDaily Hampshire Gazette

South Hadley outscored SICS 22-⁠0 in the Class B final

Source: Daily Hampshire Gazette

View as table
Value
South Hadley22 points
SICS0 points

Volleyball

Top-seeded Pioneer Valley Christian Academy (24-0) beat eighth-seeded Franklin Tech, 3-1, in Springfield in the Division 5 Round of 8. PVCA advanced to its second straight Final Four. Greenfield Recorder

UMass football

After a 4-0 start, UMass is 5-5 (2-4 Mid-American Conference), with one win in its last five games. Springfield native William "Pop" Watson III missed two games with an ankle sprain. The Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Asked

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Asked

How are you handling Thanksgiving grocery prices?

Be the first to answer.

Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.

— Marie Curie

Things to Do

Things to Do

Springfield, MA

Friday, Nov. 13

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Around the Block

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Neighbors

“Thank you to all that served! “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother” - William Shakespeare”

— A neighbor, McKnight
Photo from the neighbor’s post

75 likes · 7 comments

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The Wrap

Nineteen years is a long run for a holiday market. The Holiday Pawzaar returns to Springfield on Saturday, Nov. 14, and it's billed as the longest-running and most beloved fundraiser for the group behind it. Tails will be wagging.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Springfield gets a new state veterans services office on Main Street

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition16 links · 11 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  3. MassLive.commasslive.com
  4. The Reminderthereminder.com
  5. BusinessWestbusinesswest.com
  6. westernmassnews.comwesternmassnews.com
  7. WWLPwwlp.com
  8. WWLPwwlp.com
  9. WWLPwwlp.com
  10. WWLPwwlp.com
  11. Western Mass Newswesternmassnews.com
  12. MassLive.commasslive.com
  13. Daily Hampshire Gazettegazettenet.com
  14. Greenfield Recorderrecorder.com
  15. The Massachusetts Daily Collegiandailycollegian.com
  16. Springfield events calendarspringfieldmorningnews.com

Past issues

  1. Thurs., Nov. 12Springfield gets a new state veterans services office on Main Street
  2. Wed., Nov. 11Courthouse study projects 3,000 jobs; state forgives $19M of water plant loan
  3. Tues., Nov. 10Towns want a seat on Springfield's water and sewer board
  4. Mon., Nov. 9Holyoke's new veterans home opened with 234 beds
  5. Sun., Nov. 8Baystate's records rollout brings Mercy wait-time worries
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Springfield Morning Newsto me · Fri., Nov. 136:00 a.m.

Baystate says Mercy patient problems are easing after takeover

Plus, West Springfield lands $30 million to replace two rail crossings with an overpass.

The TLDR

  1. Baystate says Mercy patient problems are becoming less common
  2. West Springfield gets $30 million for a rail overpass
  3. Four residents honored with the William Pynchon Medal
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Springfield Morning News’ other editions

All the news
VeteransA new state veterans services office is open on Main Street in SpringfieldIf you're a veteran in western Mass., there's a new state office for you in Springfield. The Executive Office of Veterans Services opened its first western Massachusetts location at 1550 Main St. The city already has a Veterans' Services Department at City Hall, but it only supports Springfield veterans.Thursday’s editionRead CommunityBikes Fight Cancer raised a record $450,000 and gave $250,000 to four local groupsA record fundraising total for Bikes Fight Cancer just turned into checks. The 2026 ride raised more than $450,000, and organizers handed out $250,000 Wednesday to Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson, Cancer Connection, CHD Cancer House of Hope and Camp Rising Sun.Thursday’s editionRead CourthouseA study for the Springfield courthouse developers projects about 3,000 jobsThe Liberty Junction team presented a new economic impact report Tuesday for the proposed Springfield Regional Justice Center at 125 Liberty St. MassLive says the study predicts about 3,000 jobs over 42 months of construction.Wednesday’s editionRead

Around Springfield

From WWLP, MassLive.com and 3 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news

  1. WWLP47 minutes ago

    West Springfield agencies launch stuff-a-cruiser toy drive

    The West Springfield Police Department and Park & Recreation Department are launching their annual Stuff-A-Cruiser campaign.

  2. MassLive.com1 hour ago

    Springfield Rescue Mission to host Annual Gala to Honor Community Leaders

    Springfield Resuce Mission annual Gala to honor Community Leaders

    Also reported byBusinessWest

  3. MassLive.com1 hour ago

    Community rallies for Westfield Public Schools Thanksgiving meal donations

    Westfield community members, businesses, and volunteers unite annually to provide complete Thanksgiving meals and gift cards to over 200 public school families in need.

  4. WWLP1 hour ago

    Salvation Army sets $15,000 goal for annual Red Kettle fundraising drive at Holyoke Mall

    HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Salvation Army will kick off its annual Red Kettle Campaign on Friday. An event will be held to launch the campaign beginning at 11 a.m. inside the mall on the second floor near the AT&T store. It will feature Christmas carols performed by the Holyoke High School choir. The campaign

  5. WBUR1 hour ago

    Behind Alpha’s stalled push into Massachusetts public schools | WBUR News

    The polarizing for-profit company is best known for its AI-powered private schools. As questions mounted its model, the state's education secretary helped introduce the company to public school leaders this summer.

  6. The Boston Globe2 hours ago

    Nobody wants a giant data center in central Mass. Robert Kraft is betting that won’t matter.

    Sutton has never been a place of clashes or uprisings. Leave it to Robert Kraft to rewrite that history with his $16b data center proposal.