SPRINGFIELD — In late June, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission initiated Pioneer Valley Safe Streets, an effort to eliminate roadway-related fatalities and serious injuries throughout the region. Residents and stakeholders are welcome to provide public comment on the draft plan by July 20.

The plan was developed in collaboration with local communities, residents, state and federal partners, as well as the Pioneer Valley Joint Transportation Committee (JTC). The plan’s analysis included public engagement with in-person and virtual contact; in-depth crash data analysis; a comprehensive review of existing traffic mitigation plans; and additional partner and stakeholder conversations and information exchange. The draft plan also presents an Engineering Countermeasure Toolbox to make advancements in improving roadway safety across the region.

Supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, this initiative identifies critical safety deficiencies and proposes actionable improvements for all transportation modes across our communities. The Pioneer Valley Safe Streets Plan sets a goal to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to zero by 2050.

The Pioneer Valley Region experienced 1,427 fatal and serious injury crashes from 2020-2024, resulting in 262 fatalities and 1,165 serious injuries.

Residents and regional stakeholders of the Pioneer Valley can send comments to Gary Roux, Director of Transportation Planning at PVPC, at [email protected].

NORTHAMPTON — Registration for the Northampton Parks and Recreation Department’s Fall Youth and Quabbin Soccer programs is now open.

Youth soccer (preschool – grade 2) will be held on Saturday mornings at Sheldon Field from Sept. 12 to Oct. 25. The registration deadline for is Aug. 27.

Rec soccer (grades 3-6) begins as early as Aug. 31 and runs through Nov. 1. These divisions compete in both home and away games against surrounding communities and participate in one to two weeknight practices each week. The registration deadline for Quabbin Soccer is Aug. 16.

For more information, contact the Northampton Parks & Recreation Department at 413-587-1040 or stop by the Parks & Recreation Office at 100A Bridge Road, Florence. Information is also available online at www.northamptonma.gov/recreation.

The supermarket chain Big Y is inviting customers to a one-day, companywide celebration in honor of its 90th anniversary. On Saturday, July 11, from 12 to 3 p.m., all Supermarket, Table & Vine and Express fuel and convenience locations will host Big Y’s Big Bash, a festive customer appreciation event.

Customers can look forward to complimentary cupcakes, samples and a scavenger hunt for children. Throughout the event, employees will surprise shoppers at random with gift card giveaways and anniversary reusable bags.

The Big Bash is one of many activities taking place throughout 2026 as the companycelebrates its anniversary.

Big Y stores in Hampshire County are located in Amherst, South Hadley, Southampton and Northampton.

The Western Mass Hilltown Hikers next group hike will take place at Boulder Park at Chester Blandford State Forest on July 18 at 10 a.m.

The two-mile hike has a rating of “easy” and is on gravel paths, dirt and some stone stairs and bridges. Parking is in a main lot off Route 20 at Boulder Park.

Alec Gillman, interpretive coordinator at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, will lead the hike of one of the hidden Hilltown History gems. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a federal program to provide employment opportunities for young men during the Depression. The program’s focus was to improve the country’s forests and recreational resources. The CCC was active in Massachusetts from 1933 to 1941. At the peak of CCC operations the state had a total of 51 camps enrolling 10,000-men.In June 1933, the 113th Company of the CCC, began work in the southern Hilltowns region of Massachusetts, resulting in a number of facilities in and around Chester, including Boulder Park.

Register per vehicle on www.hilltownhikers.com. Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs welcome. A suggested donation is $15. Email [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312 with questions.