News

Popular Jones Library tours to continue in April

AMHERST — The popularity of recent tours giving the public peeks into all areas of the Jones Library, including some places set aside only for staff, is prompting the Jones Library Capital Campaign to continue the initiative through mid-April.More...

After fire destroys barn this winter, Red Fire Farm preparing to open its farm stand thanks to donations

By Aria Martinelli

GRANBY — Red Fire Barn promises pick your own berries and fresh produce this spring with a makeshift farm store.The Red Fire Farm is in recovery after the fire that devastated the farm store and barn on Feb. 17. Orange and gray obliterated the purple...

Crepe-based all-day restaurant The Skinny Pancake gets go-ahead for Route 9 site in Hadley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — An eatery specializing in both sweet and savory crepes, developed from a street cart that began operating in 2003 on Church Street in Burlington, Vt., could have its first restaurant in Massachusetts open on Route 9 this summer.The Select...

Survival Center’s Empty Bowls event helps fulfill aid mission

AMHERST — Ceramics students in an art class at Amherst Regional High School are among the professional and amateur artists whose bowls will be available for the Amherst Survival Center’s largest annual fundraiser, the Empty Bowls event, taking place...

Valley farmers spotlight agricultural drainage ditch troubles

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — During a summer in which area farms dealt with significant rainfall and flooded fields, keeping agricultural drainage ditches cleared became essential to protecting crops by ensuring excess water could be removed.Often, though, farmers found...

Connecticut man gets 8 years in Hadley shooting

By JAMES PENTLAND

NORTHAMPTON — A Connecticut man who shot and tried to kidnap a Hadley farmer in 2022 was sentenced Thursday to eight years in prison and three years’ probation after admitting guilt in the case.Marc A. Veturis, 29, pleaded guilty before Hampshire...

Amherst’s Jones Library will take up temporary quarters on University Drive

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University Drive office building will be the temporary location for the Jones Library during the renovation and expansion of the library’s home at 43 Amity St. over the next year and a half.Trustees for the Jones Library and town officials...

Groundbreaking: Amherst officials mark start of $97.5M elementary school

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As she got to the podium to speak to the more than 50 people gathered at the ceremonial groundbreaking for Amherst’s new elementary school, resident and Democratic state Rep. Mindy Domb said she had goosebumps that a project to replace the...

Work on North Common rehab resumes this week in Amherst

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An overhaul of the greenspace in front of Town Hall and removal of the adjacent 34-space parking lot resumed this week, with the $1.79 million North Common project on track to be completed this summer.Crews from Caracas Construction of...

Amherst seeks roundabout near UMass campus

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Plans for a roundabout to replace the signalized intersection at University Drive and Amity Street, a major gateway to the University of Massachusetts, are moving forward.The Town Council recently voted to ask its Town Services and Outreach...

‘It’s not kind to me’: Broken elevator causing issues at Amherst Senior Center

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Mostly homebound during the pandemic, Robert Mitton has made it a point to return to the Amherst Senior Center recently, dropping by the Bangs Community Center building on a regular basis to play games, socialize with friends and participate...

The Lehrer Report: March 29, 2024

Happy Easter greetings to all our Christian neighbors and friends.***Lee Bridegam of Amherst sent me an email inviting everyone to the South Amherst Congregational Church Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. on the South Amherst Common....

Collective Power lands $1M for reproductive rights work

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Collective Power for Reproductive Justice, based on the Hampshire College campus, recently received a $1 million grant from Yield Giving, a foundation created by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.The organization, founded in 1981 as the Civil...

Libraries turning the page: They’re still in the business of books, but embracing new role as community ‘third space’

By MADDIE FABIAN

On a typical day at Forbes Library, people can be found lying on the lawn, participating in book clubs and other programs, checking out books or perhaps a ukulele, and chatting with friends and strangers.It’s not the traditional image of a library...

Three candidates in running for Amherst superintendent

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Three educators, two who work in Massachusetts and the other in the Virgin Islands, are finalists to become the next superintendent for the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools.The Superintendent Search Committee on Tuesday...

South Deerfield residents share views on senior housing options

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Three initial designs for a potential senior housing project that would serve as a key piece of the town campus is receiving positive feedback from residents.At an open house attended by more than 40 residents last week, town...

Granby superintendent to depart for position in Greenfield schools

By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI

GREENFIELD — Granby’s superintendent of schools is expected to become Greenfield School Department’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning next school year. Stephen Sullivan, who is currently serving his third year as Granby’s school...

Hadley briefs

Drive-through shredding eventHADLEY — A townwide, drive-through shredding event is taking place at the Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle St., Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.A town-sponsored event, the shredding is only open to Hadley residents, who will...

Shutesbury library lands $10K accessibility grant

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A project to improve accessibility for patrons at the current Shutesbury library and the new library building that will break ground in June is being supported by a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association.Library Director Mary...

Amherst selects finalists for police chief, will meet public next week

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An Amherst police captain who has been the department’s temporary police chief since last May and a Chelmsford police lieutenant who has led the department’s wellness division are finalists to become the next chief for the Amherst Police...