News
New five-story student housing will rise on Olympia Drive in Amherst
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A five-story, 68-unit project is ready to break ground at 47 Olympia Drive, which when complete will provide another housing option for local college students.Archipelago Investments LLC of Amherst received approval last week for both the...
Amherst’s Merry Maple lighting Friday kicking off holiday downtown
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A traditional celebration that has been part of Amherst’s holiday season since the 1960s, the Merry Maple lighting is back at its usual location on the North Common on Friday, with a newly lit maple tree.A year after continued construction...
State overrules Shutesbury bylaw limiting grid batteries
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — A general town bylaw creating a licensing process for large-scale battery storage in Shutesbury has been struck down by the state attorney general’s office, for both unreasonably regulating renewable energy and improperly regulating...
Around Amherst: Town almost perfect on national equality assessment
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Amherst came close to a perfect score on the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, earning 99 out of a possible 100 points.The Municipality Equality Index is a nationwide evaluation of cities and towns on how...
Amherst’s Slaughter lands post in Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Douglas Slaughter, who served as temporary superintendent for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools for the 2023-2024 academic year, is joining the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District as its assistant...
Home heating help on tap: Residents urged to apply for fuel assistance
By SAMUEL GELINAS
A week after warm weather led to warnings of fire danger statewide, homeowners are finally starting to turn their thermostats up as temperatures drop. But for many, the extra expense to heat their homes is a tough ask. That’s why state and local...
Filling ‘the soul, heart and belly’: Survival Center hosts holiday meal
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Reflecting on his time volunteering at the Amherst Survival Center when it was housed in the basement of a former school building, sorting clothes and doing some cooking, Sky Lloyd appreciates how the annual Thanksgiving meal brings people...
Maple Valley Creamery plans farmstand in South Deerfield
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — New life may soon be coming to the vacant farmstand at the intersection of Routes 5 and 10 and North Hillside Road.Maple Valley Creamery, the Hadley-based dairy farm that also operates Maple Valley’s Scoop at the Silos, is eyeing the...
In address at UMass, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib cheers on those who faced consequences for supporting Palestine at flagship last spring
By SAMUEL GELINAS
AMHERST — “Don’t breathe. Be invisible. We don’t want trouble.”As a woman who grew up under illegal occupation in Palestine, these words became mantras for Fatima Elabed out of necessity. Her daughter, however, Michigan congresswoman and...
Amherst Town Council rejects $1M for sidewalk, road repairs in a deadlocked vote
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A financial order to transfer $1 million from free cash to improve the town’s roads and sidewalks is being rejected by the Town Council, in part as a response to families worrying about diminished support for Amherst’s public schools.With...
Amherst seeks extension to hire contractor for Jones Library project
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — With concerns over how long it’s taking to complete a mandated federal historic review of the planned renovation and expansion of the Jones Library, town and library officials are requesting an extension of up to three months for hiring a...
Around Amherst: Wallace, gospel choir getting Amherst Media’s Haggerty Award at gala
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Jacqueline Wallace and the Amherst Area Gospel Choir she has directed are earning the Jean Haggerty Award for Community Engagement and Social Justice from Amherst Media.The presentation will take place as part of the second annual Amherst...
Housing for 55-plus poised to advance at Village Barns site in Hadley
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A building with 45 apartments for people 55-and-over, to be constructed at the Hadley Village Barn Shops site on Route 9 near the Coolidge Bridge, will move forward if revisions to the senior housing overlay district are approved by voters at...
Person struck, killed by Amtrak train in South Deerfield
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
SOUTH DEERFIELD — A 43-year-old man from Deerfield was killed after being struck by an Amtrak train that was traveling from Greenfield to New Haven, Conn., on Thursday. The Deerfield Police Department, South Deerfield Fire District and South County...
Upgraded Leary Lot in South Deerfield, complete with industry-leading EV chargers, marks national milestone
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Nearly 30 years after the town purchased the property, the new and improved Leary Lot opened to residents and travelers this month, marking a national milestone.With $2.46 million from the Federal Highway Administration’s Charging...
Shutesbury special Town Meeting to weigh in on noncitizen voting rights
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — Appealing to the state Legislature to allow noncitizens who live in Shutesbury the right vote in local elections, making the town pollinator friendly, and providing some money for the rebuilding of the Amherst Regional High School track,...
Christopher Dunne named town administrator in Deerfield
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — After a few months with Christopher Dunne serving as the interim town administrator, the Select Board stripped the temporary tag off his title and appointed Dunne to the permanent role last week.The board voted on Nov. 14 to enter...
Lighting of gazebo, Christmas pageant kicking off season in Hadley
By SCOTT MERZBACH
Two annual events timed to the Christmas season will take place over the weekend.On Saturday at 5:30 p.m is the Celebration of Lights, hosted by the Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation at the Hopkins Academy Gazebo at 131 Russell St.Held since 2017,...
Amherst unveils blueprint for big capital projects: DPW, fire station plans come into view alongside school, library
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A modern Department of Public Works headquarters, with operations spread among multiple sites, and a new fire station in South Amherst at the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course, could both be under construction within the next three years,...
