Veteran of victim witness advocacy to lead DA unit

NORTHAMPTON ÔÇö The Northwestern district attorneyÔÇÖs office has appointed Emily OÔÇÖNeil as the new director of its Victim Witness Unit, succeeding Jackie Gaw, who retired after serving in the position for 12 years.

OÔÇÖNeil brings with her 28 years of experience in the Hampden County district attorneyÔÇÖs office, where she began as an intern and progressed into court administration and victim witness advocacy. During her tenure, she served as a victim witness advocate in various courts, including the district courts, the child abuse unit, superior court cases, and the special victims unit.

OÔÇÖNeil holds an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and psychology from American International College and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Westfield State University.

She assumed her new role on Sept. 11.

Gaw, who retired, was highly regarded in the field of victim witness advocacy. In fact, she was honored with the 2023 Gerard D. Downing Advocate of the Year award at the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association annual prosecutors conference.

OÔÇÖNeil acknowledged Gaw’s mentorship during her time as a victim witness advocate in Hampden County.

UMass Amherst economist named to ÔÇÿTIME100 NextÔÇÖ

AMHERST ÔÇö Isabella Weber, an economist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, has been included in the 2023 ÔÇ£TIME100 NextÔÇØ list, which showcases emerging leaders worldwide. Weber is internationally recognized for her research on systemically important prices, strategic price stabilization, and what she terms “sellers’ inflation,” which refers to the ability of firms with market power to raise prices and increase profits in a crisis.

Weber, an associate professor of economics, gained significant attention in late 2021 when she authored an op-ed for The Guardian on how the history of strategic price controls can inform the fight against inflation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing initial criticism and online harassment, her views gained acceptance as inflation persisted. Eventually, her policy proposals influenced Germany’s gas price stabilization policy and contributed to a shift in the inflation debate as featured in The New Yorker.

Weber also serves as a research associate and research leader in China studies with the UMass Amherst Political Economy Research Institute and as an associate in research at the Fairbank Center at Harvard University.

TIME100 Next is an extension of the TIME100 list, highlighting 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future across various fields. The complete list and related tributes can be found in the Sept. 25 issue.

New HCC president receives warm community welcome

HOLYOKE ÔÇö George Timmons, the fifth president of Holyoke Community College (HCC), was welcomed by the community during a reception held at the Gary Rome Hyundai dealership on Whiting Farms Road.

This reception marked Timmons’ first public introduction since assuming his role on July 13. It followed the quarterly meeting of the HCC Foundation Board of Directors, which both Timmons and Rome are members of.

During the reception, a $5,000 check was presented by Rome to the HCC Foundation for the benefit of HCC’s Thrive Student Resource Center. The center provides essential resources and support to students facing challenges such as food and housing insecurity.

Attendees included members of the 27-member HCC Foundation Board, as well as the HCC Board of Trustees and representatives from the community.

NEPM wins national Murrow Award

SPRINGFIELD ÔÇö NEPM has been honored with a national Murrow Award in radio journalism by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). The award recognizes a profile of paragliders in western Massachusetts produced by freelance reporter Ben James.

James’ story won the national Murrow Award for Excellence in Sound in the small market radio division. It initially received the regional award for Excellence in Sound in RTDNA’s Region 10, which encompasses small market radio stations in New England. The story then advanced to the national level, where it competed against stories from small market radio stations across all 14 RTDNA regions.

To capture the sound, James embarked on a tandem paragliding flight off Mount Tom in Holyoke, holding a microphone. The story provided an in-depth look into the close-knit paragliding community that frequents Mount Tom to take advantage of favorable wind conditions and breathtaking views of the valley below.

RTDNA is the largest professional organization dedicated solely to broadcast and digital journalism. The Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala will take place on Oct. 9 in New York City.

Ben James has produced extensive news series for NEPM on various topics, including youth mental health, teaching during the pandemic, and the shortage of teachers of color.