News
Career Amherst firefighter Stromgren named new fire chief
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — After nearly a quarter-century as an assistant fire chief for operations and having twice led the department on a temporary basis, Lindsay Stromgren will become Amherst’s next fire chief, pending Town Council review on Monday.Town Manager...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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,...
Hunger skyrockets in region: Organizations grappling with dramatic increase in need
By ALEXA LEWIS
While many families are gearing up for their holiday feasts, a large number of Massachusetts residents are struggling to put food on the table. Amid unusually high prices and the conclusion of many pandemic-era supports, local food banks and survival...
Hadley voters OK new zoning for senior housing, fund rubber surface at school playground
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — With a new senior housing overlay district in place, adopted by voters at a special Town Meeting Thursday, Amherst developer Barry Roberts said his team will begin preparing to bring forward a proposal for 55-and-over housing on a 30-acre...
UMass students, personnel abroad advised to return before Trump takes office
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — In preparation for a change in presidential administrations at the federal level, international students, faculty and staff on University of Massachusetts immigration sponsorships, who may be traveling abroad during winter break, are being...
ICE action in Northampton prompts city, Amherst to reaffirm sanctuary commitments
By SCOTT MERZBACH
NORTHAMPTON — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in the city last Thursday, which led to the arrest of a Brazilian man in Framingham who is also facing two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, is prompting both...
Survey points to work to make Amherst libraries welcoming for all
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Even as a 10-month survey of Jones Library patrons indicates most feel welcome and have a sense of belonging when visiting the town libraries, being greeted by friendly staff and having access to representative collections and programs, a...
UMass experts pin election results on economy
By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL
AMHERST — Why did the American people elect Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, and not Kamala Harris? Is the status of the nation’s democracy in peril? And where do the American people as a nation go from here? These were some of the...
Amherst schools ask state to nix Chinese charter school expansion in Hadley
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — The Amherst Regional School Committee is again coming out in opposition to a 100-student increase in enrollment at the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School in Hadley, while at the same time endorsing the Mass Promise to Invest...
Thanksgiving meals on the menu
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Only one municipal water service line in Amherst contains lead, according to a recently completed inventory by the Department of Public Works as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Revised Lead and Copper Rule.In the findings...
Amherst puts out bids to demolish clubhouse at old Hickory Ridge Golf Course
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — The deteriorating clubhouse building at the former Hickory Ridge Golf Course, bought by the town when it acquired the 150-acre property in March 2022, will soon be demolished.Town officials put out bids last week for razing the building at...
