🌱 Why MassDEP just fined Holyoke Mall over an old landfill
Holyoke, Massachusetts Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning to you Holyoke! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why MassDEP just fined Holyoke Mall over an old landfill
- How a $200M data center could reshape Holyoke’s old paper mill
- How Holyoke Rows is opening the Connecticut River to more neighbors
Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Warmer with plenty of sun, with a high of 83 and low of 50 degrees.
- Thursday: Very warm, temps: high: 88, low: 52. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Very warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 89 and low of 61 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Holyoke Mall company fined by MassDEP for landfill monitoring violations (wwlp.com) — Holyoke Mall’s owners have been fined by the state for missing key landfill gas monitoring and maintenance requirements tied to the old dump beneath part of the property. MassDEP issued a $13,645 penalty and is requiring ongoing inspections, repairs, and reporting to protect public health and safety for people who visit and work at the mall. 
2. Developer plans $200M data center at former Holyoke paper mill: ‘We have the power' (masslive.com) — A developer is planning a $200 million data center at the former Hampden Papers complex on Water Street, potentially adding about $2 million a year to Holyoke’s tax base. Backed by Holyoke’s low-cost hydropower and existing infrastructure, the 20-megawatt project is being pitched as a smaller, greener alternative to massive data centers while local officials push to ensure residents don’t shoulder utility costs.
3. Massachusetts state parks offer accessible recreation opportunities for summer (wwlp.com) — Holyoke residents can take advantage of accessible rowing trips on the Connecticut River through Holyoke Rows as part of the state’s Universal Access Program this summer. The DCR initiative offers free and low-cost adaptive activities like kayaking, hiking, cycling, and swimming at 29 parks statewide, with specialized equipment and support for people of all ages and abilities.
4. Using AI to Connect the Dots in Public Health (tufts.edu) — A Tufts public health leader reflects on how artificial intelligence could help communities better connect data about health, housing, transportation, and jobs. Drawing on her past work in Springfield and Holyoke, she explains how AI might reveal local patterns that shape economic opportunity and public well-being, while stressing that communities still need informed human judgment to guide decisions.
5. Artwork by Bordalo II continues to captivate Lynn (itemlive.com) — A massive five-story moose sculpture by artist Bordalo II now stands in Holyoke, extending a public art partnership that began with his trash-animal murals in Lynn. The piece, made from reclaimed materials, highlights plastic waste and environmental impacts while adding a striking new landmark to Holyoke’s industrial landscape.
📸 Around Holyoke
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Holyoke
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
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Dupont Step Up Night
Litwin Chicopee, MA 01020
5:30 pm -
Chicopee HS Graduation
Chicopee SD Chicopee, MA 01020 -
Dupont Step Up Day
Litwin Chicopee, MA 01020
8:45 am -
PTO Meeting
Litwin Chicopee, MA 01020
2:45 pm -
Chicopee High School Graduation Day
Chicopee High Chicopee, MA 01020
5:00 pm -
Senior Banquet
Chicopee Comprehensive High School American Legion Post 452, 43 Exchange St, Chicopee, MA 01013
6:00 pm -
Chicopee Planning Board Meeting Notice →
City of Chicopee RiverMills Center - 5 West Main Street Chicopee MA 01020
7:00 pm -
Chicopee Comprehensive HS Graduation
Chicopee SD Chicopee, MA 01020
Wednesday June 3
Thursday June 4
Friday June 5
📣 Holyoke Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
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Curbside Collection Route 6 →
South Hadley, MA Calendar South Hadley, MA 01075
7:00 am -
Tai Chi →
Easthampton, MA Calendar, 19 Union Street, Easthampton
9:00 am -
Chicopee Electric Light Presentation
Litwin Chicopee, MA 01020
9:00 am -
Learn to Knit →
Easthampton, MA Calendar, 19 Union St, Easthampton
10:00 am
Wednesday June 3
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My kitty has decided that 3 am is a good time to attack my feet with his claws and teeth.
I am trying to play with him more during the day, so he’ll be too tired at night to attack. I think he might be trying to get a midnight snack out of… (Nextdoor Highlands)
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Retail Merchandiser in Holyoke. Apply here.
- KFC posted a job opening for KFC Shift Supervisor in Holyoke. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Holyoke here.
Ok Holyoke! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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