News
Amherst block grant money would go to Kendrick Park improvements, redevelopment of old VFW site, social services
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Improving pedestrian access and parking near Kendrick Park, the site of a downtown playground, and preparatory work on a housing development at the former VFW site on Main Street that will include space serving homeless individuals, are projects being recommended for Community Development Block Grant funding.
Neighbors raise concerns about proposed animal shelter in Deerfield
By CHRIS LARABEE
SOUTH DEERFIELD — A dozen residents from the Plain Road East and Mill Village Road neighborhood are expressing concerns about the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Regional Dog Shelter’s proposed building.
Amherst’s town budget facing $500K deficit
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — As Town Manager Paul Bockelman puts together a nearly $29.5 million fiscal year 2026 budget for Amherst’s municipal operations, the spending plan is currently projected at around a $540,000 deficit.
Answering a need: Now in its 8th year in the public schools, Granby To Go provides families with extra food, other support
By EMILEE KLEIN
GRANBY — While volunteering at a tiny snack pantry for Granby Junior Senior High School students in 2017, Judy DeLong noticed a student wearing a sweatshirt with a wet, wrinkled and frayed collar.
Valley Bounty: Makes sense, saves cents: Local CSA programs advantageous for farms and consumers
By LISA GOODRICH
For local farmers, winter is a time for planning the next growing season, catching up on small business tasks, and maintaining structures and equipment. For the local community, winter is the time to lock in prices on produce for the growing season by signing up for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership.
Hampshire College development calls for 140 housing units, commercial space at Atkins Corner
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A three-building development featuring 140 residential units, 12,000 square feet of commercial space and 180 parking spaces is being proposed for 7.7 acres of vacant land owned by Hampshire College in the Atkins Corner area of town.
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to cease stocking rainbow trout in Upper Deerfield River
By CHRIS LARABEE
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife announced at the Feb. 27 Fisheries and Wildlife Board meeting it would cease the stocking of rainbow trout in the five-mile stretch of the Upper Deerfield River from the Fife Brook Dam to Zoar Gap, in response to the comments of dozens of anglers in the region.
Students answer firefighting call: All-college volunteers staff Engine Co. 3, a 70-year Amherst tradition
By ANTHONY BUSCARINO
AMHERST — Whenever an emergency call is placed, the person facing a crisis places their confidence in that whoever arrives will be a trained professional — capable, skilled and courageous. The image of a firefighter — tough, strong, and always willing to put themselves on the line — is a common ideal in the public’s consciousness. In Amherst, these firefighters may even be local full-time college students.
Amherst Regional: 18 potential staff cuts alarm parents, teachers
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — A full team of five teachers at Amherst Regional Middle School, who provide instruction in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and special education to seventh and eighth graders, would be eliminated as part of at least 18 staff cuts, saving around $1.39 million, at the regional schools if a proposal under consideration is adopted for next fiscal year.
Amherst parents, teachers lobby against cuts at elementary schools
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Eliminating the reading intervention program, cutting five special education instructors and three paraprofessionals, and reducing hours for specialist instructors and band teachers are among changes that could be implemented at Amherst’s three elementary schools beginning in the fall.
Around Amherst: UMass doctor earns legislative Black Excellence Award
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Dr. Khama Ennis, an Amherst resident and board-certified emergency physician with more than 20 years of clinical experience, is receiving the 2025 Black Excellence Award for the 3rd Hampshire District.
Worcester company sues Hadley Planning Board over denial of standalone battery permit
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — A Worcester company denied permission to place a standalone battery in a Breckenridge Road gravel pit is suing the town’s Planning Board, contending its Jan. 7 decision is legally untenable and “unreasonable, arbitrary and capricious.”
South Deerfield man, 60, killed after being hit by train Monday in Deerfield
By ANTHONY CAMMALLERI
SOUTH DEERFIELD — A 60-year-old man from South Deerfield was killed Feb. 24 after he was struck by a northbound Amtrak train, according to a spokesperson from the Northwestern district attorney’s office.
Sunderland ZBA begins review of Dollar Store plan
By CHRIS LARABEE
SUNDERLAND — The Zoning Board of Appeals last week continued the public hearing for a proposed 9,100-square-foot retail building expected to house a Dollar General at the corner of Route 116 and Clark Mountain Road amid concerns over traffic and safety on the busy state highway.
UMass Amherst Chancellor Reyes was finalist to lead West Virginia
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — Less than two years since taking the helm as chancellor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Javier Reyes interviewed as a finalist to become the next president of West Virginia University.
A moment with Dr. Fauci: Expert who became household name during pandemic featured guest at Amherst College LitFest
By SAMUEL GELINAS
AMHERST — When the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report landed on Dr. Anthony Fauci’s desk in June 1981, he had no idea it would be the start of a “dark” period of his career.
Closure looms this summer for Fish & Wildlife Services HQ in Hadley; 36 probationary workers already fired
By EMILEE KLEIN
HADLEY — The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Department Service’s Northeast regional headquarters in Hadley is proposed to close on Aug. 31 as part of the federal General Services Administration initiative to end leases for 164 federal office spaces nationwide, according to a list leaked by a government whistleblower.
Investigation clears Amherst superintendent of wrongdoing
By SCOTT MERZBACH
AMHERST — An investigation has cleared Amherst Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman of allegations of threatening harm to a district employee, creating a hostile work environment for an employee, and retaliating against employees who are part of a protected class.
Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter set for expansion after close vote on Tuesday
By SCOTT MERZBACH
HADLEY — Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School’s enrollment can increase by 100 students after the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Tuesday narrowly supported acting Commissioner Russell D. Johnston’s recommendation allowing the K-12 school to have up to 684 students.
Shell yeah: At long last, Amherst Oyster Bar will open next month
By SCOTT MERZBACH
Famous for its giant popovers, Judie’s was a mainstay of Amherst’s dining scene, a popular place for people to go to on graduation, alumni and homecoming weekends and to celebrate special events for more than 40 years.
