News

Amherst Regional school board contesting town’s spending cap

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A letter being drafted by members of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee to the Amherst Town Council is challenging the idea that the school officials’ annual budget requests have been fiscally irresponsible, while at the same time seeking ways to gain more financial support in the face of up to 24 staff reductions projected for next year.

Hadley’s geothermal plans for Hopkins Academy spike in cost to $9.5M

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A geothermal project to provide renewable energy to Hopkins Academy and improve the heating and cooling for the 1950s era building by replacing the existing boilers could cost around $9.5 million, with the schools picking up about $5.5 million of this cost, based on a report presented by consultants last week.

Scale of Jones Library addition one of last sticking points in historical review

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Losing two interior staircases and some original woodwork from the original 1928 Jones Library building, along with the proposed addition’s size, scale and “massing,” remain adverse effects to be resolved before the $46.1 million expansion and renovation project moves forward.

Nonprofit developers say cost, siting chief barriers to affordable housing in Valley

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Significant cost increases to build affordable housing across the region pose a major challenge, but streamlining zoning rules, soliciting state and federal support, and pursuing local assistance can lead to successful developments, according to leaders with regional nonprofit housing developers.

Dream job for new head of Central West Justice Center legal aid nonprofit

By EMILEE KLEIN

NORTHAMPTON — Nothing could knock down Claudia Quintero on the day she received her green card and work permit at 17 years old — she was too elated to notice anything else.

Tilton Library expansion project moves forward in South Deerfield

By CHRIS LARABEE

SOUTH DEERFIELD — With construction on schedule and on budget, it’s almost time for a new chapter at Tilton Library.

‘There’s a majesty to grief’: Poet and UMass professor Peter Gizzi wins prestigious 2024 T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry

By CAROLYN BROWN

Peter Gizzi, professor of poetry at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, recently won the 2024 T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry, one of the world’s most prestigious poetry awards.

Rising to the challenge: Federal, state officials briefed on $90M fix for Hadley’s dike, levee system

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — As the town faces a combined $90 million or more in spending needed to rebuild, improve and extend the dike and levee system that provides protection from Connecticut River flooding, state and federal officials are pledging to support the town in identifying the best approach to take in the face of a changing climate.

UMass planning major public-private campus housing overhaul

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes is seeking a new public-private partnership that could bring to the University of Massachusetts campus affordable, mixed-use housing for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as possible options for non-students — an initiative that could reduce the pressure on the area’s housing stock.

Amherst Board of Health seeks suite of stricter tobacco regs

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Restricting the sale of oral nicotine pouches to adults-only tobacco stores, increasing the minimum price of cigars to be consistent with state regulations, and not allowing a tobacco retailer to move within 1,000 feet of an existing business selling tobacco are among changes being considered for the town’s rules related to sale of tobacco and vape products.

Outside report calls UMass protest breakup reasonable but tweaks Reyes on handling of it

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — University of Massachusetts officials acted reasonably and prudently in breaking up pro-Gaza encampments on campus last spring, but different enforcement tactics might have cut down on the number of arrests, as well as reduced the fraying of trust between students, faculty and staff and the UMass administration, according to an independent review released this month.

Amherst-Pelham teachers union cites support for superintendent in wake of allegations

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A week after the release of an anonymous letter highly critical of Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman’s management of the central office, the executive board for the union representing teachers, paraprofessionals and clerical staff released a statement last Friday supporting Herman and applauding her efforts to bring transparency and financial stability to the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools.

Around Amherst: Seniors renew push for more usable Senior Center

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Senior citizens active with the Council on Aging are renewing appeals for town assistance to modernize and improve the Bangs Community Center.

Dead geese at UMass had bird flu

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — The first two cases of bird flu on the University of Massachusetts campus were discovered over the weekend of Jan. 18-19 when two deceased Canadian geese tested positive for disease, the university announced.

New owners: No concrete plans for former Hadley farm stand

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A former farm stand and ice cream parlor at 10 Rocky Hill Road, with 1.4 acres of farmland and a parking lot to accommodate 15 vehicles, was sold for $179,000 at a foreclosure auction Thursday morning.

Shutesbury, Hadley lauded for digital inclusion ‘trailblazers’

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Both Shutesbury and Hadley are being recognized as Digital Inclusion Trailblazers by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance for their efforts to close the digital divide for residents by providing access to affordable, high-speed internet and digital skills training.

Nominations open for Hadley positions in May 20 election

HADLEY — Nomination forms for those interested in running for elective office in the town’s May 20 annual election are available at the town clerk’s office.

Hadley fire chief pitches full ambulance service starting in 2026

HADLEY — By Jan. 1, 2026, Hadley firefighters could be running both a primary Advanced Life Support ambulance and a back-up Basic Life Support ambulance, if a plan proposed by Fire Chief Michael Spanknebel for staffing up the department gets support from town officials and voters this spring.

Turnaround leader Wingenbach leaving helm of Hampshire College

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Hampshire College President Ed Wingenbach is stepping down from leadership at the end of June to become president of the American College of Greece, completing six years at the helm of the Amherst campus during a transitional phase for the college amid financial uncertainty.

Pioneering educator ‘Chuck’ Longsworth, a founder of Hampshire College, recalled for vision, sense of mission

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Charles R. “Chuck” Longsworth, a Hampshire College founder and the institution’s first employee and second president, who died Jan. 8 at 95 in Concord, is being remembered for his pioneering work in higher education.