News
Deerfield residents petitioning to fix ‘dangerous’ intersection
By CHRIS LARABEE
DEERFIELD — With 12 collisions between 2021 and 2023 and likely an even greater number of close calls at the intersection of Routes 5 and 10, North Main Street and Mill Village Road, two residents have launched a petition asking the state Department...
Around Amherst: Town cleanup day being organized for Saturday
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A townwide cleanup day, organized by Amherst’s community participation officers and University of Massachusetts work study students, is taking place Saturday.Rain or shine, volunteers will fan out in town to remove trash and debris beginning...
The Lehrer Report: April 26, 2024
Reminder: Real estate taxes are due May 1, which is Wednesday next week.***Garden report: I filled four hanging planters with pansies. I will wait before I do the wave petunias.The lilac bush that bloomed in October has green buds. However, there are...
Hadley planners advance battery storage bylaw
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A bylaw that would allow standalone energy storage systems in most zoning districts in Hadley, but which would prohibit them in aquifer protection areas, is being brought to annual Town Meeting next month, with an endorsement from the...
Hampshire County youth tapped to advise governor’s team
By XINYI YANG
Three Hampshire County students are among 60 young people statewide who will advise Gov. Maura Healey and her administrative team on issues important to young people as members of the newly minted Youth Advisory Council.The young people, ages 16-21,...
Revised plan to combat bullying in Amherst regional schools questioned
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A revised plan for investigating bullying and stopping such incidents at the Amherst-Pelham regional schools is raising concerns for some members of the Regional School Committee, who see the changes as taking a backward step.“This new...
Amherst Fire Chief Walter ‘Tim’ Nelson to retire in June
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Fire Chief Walter O. “Tim” Nelson, who has led the department since early 2010, will retire from the position at the end of June, bringing to a close a more than 43-year career in fire services in which his emphasis has been on helping...
Amherst poised to hire police department veteran as new chief
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Temporary Police Chief Gabriel Ting, who has led the department since last May and been a member of the force for almost 27 years, will become Amherst’s permanent chief, pending approval by the Town Council.Ting’s appointment to serve a...
Fearful Belchertown residents blame stray bullets on nearby gun club, appeal to town for help
By EMILEE KLEIN
BELCHERTOWN — Jake Hulseberg won’t let his children play on the swing set he built them in their backyard on Mountain View Drive because of bullets that shattered glass doors on two houses on the street.Instead, Hulseberg keeps his kids in the front...
Amherst regional superintendent candidate stresses inclusion, broad expertise
By SCOTT MERZBACH
Editor’s note: The first of three finalists for the job of superintendent was interviewed last week. Stories about visits of the other two finalists will appear when they interview the week of April 22.AMHERST — A strong work ethic, an ability to...
Frontier’s response to alleged sexual misconduct draws ire
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Several parents and community members criticized the Frontier Regional School District on April 9 for its lack of communication over alleged sexual misconduct on campus during school hours in March.Speaking during public comment at...
Amherst requests state grant to develop Puffer’s Pond improvement plan
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A Puffer’s Pond improvement plan, with recommendations for enhancing both the dam and the dike surrounding the body of water, could be developed through funding from a state grant program.Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek announced to the...
Three Amherst Regional Middle School counselors absolved of Title IX offenses
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Even with complaints that their actions and behavior, including intentional misgendering students were likely offensive, three counselors at the Amherst Regional Middle School have been cleared of violations of the federal Title IX law in...
Shutesbury Elementary School principal leaving in June after 10 years
By SCOTT MERZBACH
SHUTESBURY — After 10 years as principal at Shutesbury Elementary School, Jacqueline Mendonsa is leaving the position at the end of June to relocate to the Boston area.“It is very hard for me to put into words my true love and appreciation for our...
The Lehrer Report: April 19, 2024
Garden report: The tulips, pulmanaria and dandelions have bloomed. No surprise, the dandelions outnumber the tulips.***Passover greetings to all our Jewish friends and neighbors.***The Amherst Farmer’s Market opens Saturday, April 20 for the season...
Around Amherst: Sustainability Festival camping out on Common Saturday
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Family fun, education and entertainment are expected to be part of the Amherst Sustainability Festival, being held for the 12th time on the Town Common on Saturday.Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival will have a number of vendors,...
Crocker School kids draw on historical picture books for library banner project
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — An unfolded brown paper bag is being transformed, through use of crayons, pencils and paint markers, into a banner showcasing an acclaimed American naturalist, artist and academic.“I think Anna Comstock was very impressive in her work,” says...
Blue envelope program offered for Massachusetts drivers on autism spectrum
By ALISON KUZNITZ
BOSTON — Massachusetts State Police have begun implementing a program to improve interactions with people on the autism spectrum, building upon legislation that won Senate approval in January and remains before a House committee.Participating drivers...
Belchertown Select Board gives Saunders earful over state funding
By EMILEE KLEIN
BELCHERTOWN — A week after the town’s school system laid off 17 staff members due to funding woes, the Select Board had a simple message for state Rep. Aaron Saunders during a recent meeting — help us.Saunders, D-Belchertown, however, was not brimming...
New fed rules may force Mass. action on PFAS
By COLIN A. YOUNG
Nearly 200 water systems across Massachusetts — including towns, schools and hospitals — will likely need to take some action to comply with new federal limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water, state regulators said last week, a potentially...
