News
School backers press council for boost to Amherst regional budget
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Parents, educators and members of the Regional School Committee are making direct appeals to the Amherst Town Council to support a $35.75 million fiscal year 2025 budget that is nearly $1 million above the financial guidance provided by...
Small towns wary of Amherst Regional committee’s school budget ask
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Skepticism and uncertainty from officials in Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury over Amherst Regional School Committee’s appeal for nearly $1 million more from the four member towns is prompting the convening of a four-town meeting next month...
Amherst councilor mulls restrictions on public comment
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — An Amherst councilor may seek to place some restrictions on how public comments are made at Town Council meetings, such as requiring advance sign-up for those participating remotely, as a way of combating potential hate speech.At a Town...
A time for every purpose under heaven: Free sing-a-long Pete Seeger Fest returns to Ashfield, April 6
By SHERYL HUNTER
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Pete Seeger’s death. The legendary folk musician, political activist, and environmentalist touched lives around the world with his songs, which were rich in hope and history and exhibited a strong sense of...
As expansion project begins, Tilton Library move set for April 15
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — Tilton Library has an official date for its move next door to the South Deerfield Congregational Church’s function hall, as its long-awaited expansion project is nearly set to begin.The library will officially move on April 15, but...
‘Sport court’ eyed for Amherst recreational sites
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A dedicated outdoor fitness space could be added to the town’s recreational sites through support from a national initiative that would provide grant money to cover most costs of its installation.The Amherst Recreation Commission recently...
The love behind a perfect match: Pet rescue organization using AI to help rehome pets
By EMILEE KLEIN
No dog trainers, behaviorists and even an psychic animal communicator could prevent Melissa Bekisz’s two dogs from fighting.The New York resident inherited her ex-partner’s 4-year-old Australian shepherd Marjoram after he moved out. Marjoram began...
Veteran West Roxbury community booster will lead Amherst Area Chamber
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A Belchertown resident with experience in promoting economic development, leading community events and building coalitions begins his tenure as executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce this month.Jacob Robinson, most...
Deerfield woman gets probation in stabbing case
By DOMENIC POLI
GREENFIELD — A Deerfield woman was sentenced Tuesday to three years of probation after admitting in Franklin County Superior Court to stabbing the 82-year-old husband of a woman she was caring for as a personal care attendant last year.Kady J....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
