by Amanda Drane and Hunter Styles | Jan 25, 2016 | Articles
Too many conversations about Holyoke are riddled with preconceptions. Many Valley dwellers dismiss the idea of spending more time in Holyoke, thinking it unsafe (perhaps new data released by the state this month, which shows the city’s crime rate down by 33...
by Advocate Staff | Jan 18, 2016 | Articles
Winter’s Here, but have no fear! Empanadas can warm the soul The Valley is rich in the empanada department. And that’s a good thing, because who doesn’t want their meal lovingly stuffed into a delicious pastry? Flaky, gold-colored dough makes...
by Kristin Palpini | Jan 4, 2016 | Articles, Between the Lines, News
In December the Boston-based Disability Law Center rocked the Valley with a report about alleged physical and psychological abuse suffered by students at the Peck School in Holyoke. In the report, the protection and advocacy agency details a number of disturbing...
by Amanda Drane | Dec 14, 2015 | Articles, News
One of the first rules in business should be, don’t drop N-bombs around your customers. That weaponized language is rarely acceptable in any situation, but for a business owner to text the slur at a customer, you’ve got to wonder what the hell the entrepreneur was...
by Amanda Drane | Nov 30, 2015 | Articles, News
Monte Belmonte could have been an Olympic speed walker if he hadn’t become one of the Valley’s most recognizable radio personalities. Or at least that’s how it feels as I huff and puff trying to keep up with him. Dressed in his cerulean blue suit — complete with his...