News

State education department halts trustee appointments at Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A May 2 vote by trustees for the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School to add two new members is being temporarily nullified by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Celebrating freedom with joy: Amherst’s 16th Juneteenth Jubilee showcases music, culture and resilience

By GRACE CHAI

AMHERST — The auditorium at St. Brigid’s church swelled with sound Thursday evening as more than 100 people swayed, clapped and sang along to the Black national anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Spirits were as high as the temperature outside — which had reached 90 degrees — as people celebrated Juneteenth with music, food and community.

Belt-tightening continues at UMass amid federal funding cuts

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Concerns over possible cuts in federal financial support to the University of Massachusetts, and tax legislation being considered by Congress, is leading campus officials to call for various belt-tightening measures, including spending reductions of 3% and 5% in all academic and administrative departments.

‘Generational damage’: The fallout of cutting climate science research

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — Local scientists warn that the proposed federal cuts to the United States Geological Survey’s Ecosystem Mission Area — a federal research program that studies the country’s natural resources — outlined in the White House’s fiscal year 2026 budget could not only degrade national ecosystems, but the industries and people that rely on them.

UMass climate scientists reeling as Trump administration slashes funding for research

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — Graduate student Josie Pilchik’s career plans dissolved with just one email.

Rainbow flags, big smiles: Amherst’s inaugural pride parade draws hundreds

By GRACE CHAI

AMHERST — Rainbow flags flew in the air, music by queer pop artists played in the background and children giggled as they popped bubbles streaming from a bubble machine on a hot Sunday afternoon. Pride had come to Amherst for the first time.

Hadley retains Action EMS to handle service for two more years

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A new two-year contract with a private ambulance service, with an option for a third year, will mean emergency medical care at the Advanced Life Support level for Hadley residents will continue to be provided by Action EMS Ambulance.

Amherst Finance Committee backs plan for steep water, sewer rate hikes

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — With the Finance Committee advising the “worst is yet to come” for the town’s aging sewer system, members are unanimously supporting steep increases to the town’s proposed sewer and water rates.

Hadley planners OK used car business across from Hopkins Academy on Russell Street

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A used car business that can display up to 10 vehicles for sale at a time will be allowed to set up at a 1.4-acre parcel at the corner of Route 9 and Goffe Street.

Asparagus Festival in Hadley won’t be rescheduled this year

HADLEY — The New England Public Media Asparagus Festival will not reschedule its event this year after weather forced organizers to cancel the popular event on June 7.

Around Amherst: Outdoor swim season in full swing

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Outdoor swim season is underway in Amherst, with the full-size pool at Mill River Recreation Area opening in early June and both War Memorial Pool and the wading pool at Mill River scheduled to be ready for swimmers this week.

Acting officer in charge of Shutesbury PD; police budget prominent discussion at recent Town Meeting

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — An acting officer in charge is overseeing Shutesbury Police through the end of June, with the current police chief on administrative leave.

Amherst advocates decry budget freeze for community responders

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Two Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service positions to remain vacant for the next year and the continued lack of directing emergency dispatch calls to these responders is alarming advocates for the unarmed police alternative.

Amherst-Pelham union: Schools facing crisis over racism against Black employees, renew call for 10-point action plan

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff in the Amherst-Pelham public schools is renewing a call for action, first delivered to the Amherst Regional School Committee more than a year ago, that includes a 10-point plan for addressing racism against Black employees.

Rebirth of Revolutionary-era sawmill in Leverett: Park, nature trail opens, restoration efforts continue for historic building

By SCOTT MERZBACH

By SCOTT MERZBACH

School committee members question making Amherst finance director position remote full time

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A provision for possible full-time remote work for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools’ finance director, part of a proposed three-year employment contract that includes a $137,700 base salary beginning July 1, is among concerns elected members of the committees are raising with the deal.

Hadley Select Board halts search for town administrator

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A search for a new town administrator to serve Hadley is being canceled after members of the Select Board opted against offering the job to either of the two finalists who returned for in-depth interviews Wednesday.

Sunderland zoning board says it prefers new Dollar General design

By MADISON SCHOFIELD

SUNDERLAND — The Zoning Board of Appeals has continued the public hearing on a proposed 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store on Route 116 to June 24.

Amherst-Pelham schools land $500K to build on its electric bus program

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, through its private transportation provider Highland Electric Fleets in Beverly, will continue to electrify school buses through a $500,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.