News
Western Mass farmers battle ‘pumpkin plague’
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERIand SAMUEL GELINAS
Some squash, pumpkin and potato farmers in the Pioneer Valley are bearing the burden of a soil-based disease described by one farmer as being “like the plague” for these and potentially many more species.Walking through a barren pumpkin patch late...
Amherst council adopts tougher nuisance property bylaw
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Municipal building inspectors and town police officers will soon have a mechanism for ensuring problem properties that affect the quality of life in Amherst neighborhoods, such as residences holding frequent loud parties with underage...
Amherst schools roll out new online bullying reporting system
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A new bullying reporting system is on the websites for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools, providing an improved process for notifying school officials about possible incidents and ensuring prompt investigations....
Amherst eyes joint homeless shelter, housing on old VFW site
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Town officials are exploring development of the former VFW site on Main Street into a new 40-bed homeless shelter with associated services and a four-story, 30-unit single-room occupancy apartment complex.At a recent presentation to update...
PVTA to waive fares, launch new Amherst-to-Greenfield route
By SCOTT MERZBACH
LEVERETT — The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will go fare-free beginning Nov. 1, part of a statewide “Try Transit” initiative that provides funding to allow transit authorities to waive fees for riders.PVTA said that no fares or passes will be...
Around Amherst: Trivia Bee fundraiser moving to The Drake in 30th year
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — The Annual Trivia Bee, a long-running fundraiser for the Amherst Education Foundation that has typically been staged in school auditoriums, is moving to a downtown location in its 30th year.Scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m., the event that...
Another busy weekend for Amherst Police with 200-plus calls for service
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Hundreds of people gathered in the back yard at a North Pleasant Street fraternity house, where loud music was playing and some underage guests were found urinating on a neighboring property, led to enforcement actions by Amherst Police late...
Amherst library chief gets salary boost to $130K
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — In recognition of what elected trustees say is her exemplary work overseeing the Jones Library system, and the planned expansion and renovation project at the main branch, Director Sharon Sharry is earning a significant salary boost.Trustees...
Hadley planners take no stand on expanding senior housing zone
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — The Planning Board will not make a recommendation to special Town Meeting this fall about a proposal to significantly expand the senior housing overlay district, to include a 30-acre property near the corner of Rocky Hill Road and North Maple...
Deerfield Town Meeting voters OK $3.8M for 1888 Building while St. James Church draws discussion
By CHRIS LARABEE
DEERFIELD — With $3.8 million in Community Preservation Act money approved, the 1888 Building rehabilitation project can move forward.While the big-ticket project was approved with no discussion, it was a housekeeping article regarding the St. James...
Hadley eyes high-tech weapons detection tool for Hopkins Academy
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — School officials are considering the installation of a high-tech tool to possibly identify anyone carrying a firearm into Hopkins Academy, though School Committee members are wary of moving forward with the idea without more information.The...
UMass prof, team will zero in on PFAS and bone loss in grant-funded $5M study
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Better understanding of how certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often simply called PFAS and known as “forever chemicals,” negatively affect public health and cause assorted maladies, is leading to state and federal laws and...
New invader here: Spotted lanternfly appears in Hampshire County, posing threat to grapes, apples, other crops
By EMILEE KLEIN
SOUTH HADLEY — While lounging under a tree at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School, middle school student Addison Gosselin felt the tickle of a critter crawling on her leg.Gosselin ushered the little bug onto her hand, and immediately...
Shutesbury considers gazebo, plexiglass as ways to protect historic guideboard currently under repair
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — An open-air gazebo is being proposed to protect the town common’s historic guideboard, an artifact that dates to 1837 and continues to be refurbished and restored at the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.While the Historical Commission...
Culture quest: Crocker Farm librarian named Wallace Teaching Award winner
By SCOTT MERZBACH
“We were trying to find someone who represents the multitudes of who we are as a school community. … Whatever Waleska brings to the building, it’s vast.”Principal Derek SheaAMHERST — Art from Indigenous tribes, Hawaii, Nepal, Mexico and Chile, among...
New super pitches merging Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools in face of shortfall
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A significant deficit anticipated in the fiscal year 2026 budget for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, amid continued enrollment declines in grades 7-12, is prompting Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman to propose consolidating all secondary...
Chamber, UMass event veteran Page named to lead downtown business boosters
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A Pelham resident with experience in economic development, event management and advocating for businesses in roles at both the University of Massachusetts and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce becomes the Amherst Business Improvement...
Amherst Media director departs after 17 years
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Amherst Media Executive Director Jim Lescault is out at the cable access nonprofit after almost 17 years in the role, though those associated with the organization, and Lescault himself, are tight-lipped about his departure.While confirming...
UMass, Amherst Survival Center to open food pantry on campus in fall of 2025
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A pantry for University of Massachusetts students and employees who are experiencing food insecurity, representing a long-term partnership between the university and the Amherst Survival Center, will open next fall at the former Newman...
Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School seeks 100-student expansion
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — After recently acquiring an 80,000-square-foot building on Venture Way for a second campus, the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion School is seeking a 100-student increase in enrollment.Despite several parents speaking against the enrollment...
