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By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — A giant wooden-frame cake with hundreds of electric candles, serving as a centerpiece of anniversary celebrations in several area communities, is on its way to another part of Massachusetts.The ceremonial 16-foot-tall, 26-foot-wide and...

By GARRETT COTE

Jameson Dion was fresh off a 295-yard, five-touchdown rushing performance against Putnam in the opening contest of his senior season at Amherst Regional, and the Hurricanes were set to host Springfield International Charter School in their first night...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Citing the high costs for steel, which may go up even more due to uncertainty around tariffs, an Amherst developer is scaling back a mixed-use development at the corner of Amity Street and University Drive on the edge of the UMass campus.The...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — In both Hadley and Northampton, as well in as other communities throughout the Connecticut River Valley, Black women were among those enslaved by the region’s European settlers in the 1600s and by those living in Massachusetts until slavery...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town officials are undertaking a plan to ensure the remaining $3.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds yet to be spent are not lost during a change in presidential administrations in Washington, D.C., and possible punitive actions...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Putting a standing seam sheet metal roof or synthetic slate on the roof of the Hadley Public Library, or making significant modifications of the roof’s perimeter to allow better venting, could address problems in the four-year-old building,...

By CHRIS LARABEE

DEERFIELD — On a recommendation from the Board of Assessors, the Select Board adopted a single tax rate for fiscal year 2025 of $13.25 per $1,000 valuation this month, an approximately 4.3% decrease from FY24.Sticking with past practices, the Select...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — New school traffic zones for both the Amherst Regional Middle and High schools are being established by the Town Council.At the middle school, 20 mph signs will installed be on the south side of Chestnut Street and the east side of High...

New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, is Wednesday. Town offices and banks will be closed. Some stores may be open. Thursday begins half-price sales for holiday merchandise.I hope you all have a happy and healthy new year.***David and Betsy Mullins of Amherst won...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A prominent shopping plaza’s Newton-based owner is pledging to preserve the Big Y Supermarket, CVS Pharmacy, Dunkin’ and other assorted businesses, even if the property is included in a new overlay district aimed at encouraging more residential...

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — After a national search, Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) has found a new executive director right here in the Pioneer Valley. The agency has chosen Jennifer Core, a Warwick resident and farmer with a background...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Residents who pushed to get a new wetlands protection bylaw into place in Shutesbury are asking the Conservation Commission to adopt an updated associated set of regulations to ensure the bylaw can be enforced.“No regulations means we are...

By CAROLYN BROWN

The album “Free to Be… You and Me,” released by Marlo Thomas in 1972, inspired a generation to think beyond gender stereotypes. Now, the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst is celebrating the “Free to Be...” project’s lasting legacy and impact in a new...

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

Two Hampshire County organizations that provide support for individuals struggling with homelessness during the cold winter months are receiving a combined $1.25 million from the state to expand services.The recipients, Craig’s Doors of Amherst and...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Sixth-graders at the town’s three elementary schools will relocate to a standalone Sixth Grade Academy in the fall of 2026, a move that will come at the same time as the opening of a new elementary school and a townwide redistricting for...

By DARCY DUMONT

Have you ever thought about the risks from climate change before buying a home? Or climate risks related to your current home?Does your home or one you are considering purchasing sit in or near a flood plain? Is it near the coast and projected to be...

By RUSS VERNON-JONES

Many of us are wondering how we can be most effective in blocking authoritarianism from completely taking over the United States now that Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans are about to assume political power. This is not an easy question, but it’s...

RFK Jr.’s plans for eliminating both vaccinations and fluoride in drinking water are dangerous and radical ideas that will make the American population, especially our children, less healthy and will cause catastrophic medical problems. The vaccines...

As a UMass alum, longtime basketball fan, and human being, I am appalled by the behavior of the UMass basketball coach, Frank Martin. His screaming in the face of his players in front of an arena full of fans is nothing less than abuse, not to mention...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman is being provided a 3% boost in his annual salary, pushing it above $200,000, in recognition of his high performance in his annual evaluation.Town Council on Dec. 16y voted 11-0, with one member absent and...