🌱 How a Holyoke mall jewelry theft suspect ended up caught in Florida
Hi there, Holyoke! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Holyoke mall jewelry theft suspect ended up caught in Florida
- Which Holyoke rules on parking, housing, and safety are on the table?
- How a fun spelling showdown boosted Holyoke kids’ education support
Also on today's calendar: Volunteer Open House - Senior Companion Program and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the inventor of the knock-knock joke win? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 73 and low of 49 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy, temps: high: 66, low: 49.
- Sunday: Cooler with showers, with a high of 54 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Suspect in jewelry theft arrested in Florida (newportdispatch.com) — Holyoke residents are learning that a man wanted in connection with a $30,000 jewelry theft at a Holyoke mall has been arrested in Volusia County, Florida, on separate armed robbery charges. Holyoke detectives had already secured a warrant, and once his Florida case is resolved, he can be extradited to Massachusetts to face local larceny-related charges. 
2. Ordinance Committee 4/14/2026 (holyokemedia.org) — Holyoke’s Ordinance Committee agenda lays out a packed list of zoning, traffic, animal welfare, tenant rights, and public safety proposals that could shape daily life across city neighborhoods. From data center bans and winter parking rules to speed humps, sewer rates, and a new Community Response Division, many items directly affect how Holyoke residents move, park, and access services.
3. Holyoke hosts 11th annual Adult Spelling Bee (wwlp.com) — Holyoke residents turned out at the De La Luz Soundstage for Homework House’s 11th annual Adult Spelling Bee, raising funds to support local children’s education. Nearly two dozen themed teams competed, with every ticket directly backing Homework House programs and upcoming summer learning opportunities for families.
4. 10 Amazing Massachusetts Adventures You Can Enjoy Without Spending More Than $20 (takingthekids.com) — Mount Tom State Reservation’s Holyoke trails and Goat Peak tower get a strong spotlight in this roundup of affordable Massachusetts adventures under $20. You’ll also find ideas from Bash Bish Falls to Salem and Provincetown, but Mount Tom stands out for its sweeping Connecticut River Valley views and easy day-trip access from the city.
5. Massachusetts educators of color gather for leadership event (wwlp.com) — Educators from across western Massachusetts recently gathered in downtown Springfield to network and build pathways into school leadership for teachers of color, an effort that directly affects districts like Holyoke. Organized by the Massachusetts School Administrators Association, the event highlighted the need for leaders who reflect student diversity and promoted upcoming statewide gatherings focused on equity and professional growth.
📸 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!
★ Featured events ★
-
Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, Fundraiser
Gary Rome Hyundai, 150 Whiting Farms Rd, Holyoke
6:30 pm
Saturday April 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
MZZTR IS IN MA
The Heavy Culture Cooperative , 1 Northampton St , Easthampton
7:00 pm -
Drag Brunch Baddies
New City Brewery , Studio 12 Back , Parking lot , Easthampton
10:00 am -
Bacon & Brews 2026
The Log Cabin , 500 Easthampton Rd , Holyoke
12:00 pm -
Girls Varsity Softball vs Granby Jr/Sr High School
Chicopee Comprehensive High School , 617 Montgomery St , Chicopee
4:00 pm -
Girls Varsity Tennis - Team vs Renaissance School
Chicopee Comprehensive High School , 617 Montgomery St , Chicopee
4:00 pm -
Girls JV Softball vs Granby Jr/Sr High School
Chicopee Comprehensive High School , 17 Chicopee St , Chicopee
4:00 pm -
Boys Varsity Baseball @ Belchertown High School
Belchertown High School , 142 Springfield Road , Belchertown
4:00 pm -
Volunteer Open House - Senior Companion Program
516 Chicopee St , Chicopee
2:00 pm
Saturday April 18
Sunday April 19
Tuesday April 21
Wednesday April 22
Monday April 27
📣 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
-
Arbor Day Celebration
South Hadley, MA Calendar , Mosier Street , South Hadley
9:30 am -
Strength, Stretch + Balance
Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union St , Easthampton
10:30 am -
Pitch & Hearts
Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union St , Easthampton
1:00 pm -
Gelli Plate Mark Making with Lois
Easthampton, MA Calendar , 19 Union St , Easthampton
1:30 pm
Friday April 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- ABM Industries posted a job opening for Janitorial Cleaner in Holyoke. Apply here.
- Snipes posted a job opening for Stock Personnel 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: The NO-BELL prize (Thank you Gina M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.