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By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — The chairwoman of the town’s Conservation Commission has stepped down, a decision she said stems from alleged personal attacks and interference by elected and appointed officials at Town Hall.Miriam DeFant’s decision came on the eve of a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst, Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett residents are being invited to offer thoughts for the ongoing superintendent search for the Amherst-Pelham Regional, Amherst and Pelham district schools at six community input sessions, the first of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Significant progress on upgrading the North Common this fall, with weather conducive for work both on the visible greenspace and below ground for drainage improvements, put the project on track to be finished by the end of June, town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst officials are seeking a state grant to cover the costs to design and clear permits for improvements aimed at preventing flooding on Pomeroy Court, a cul-de-sac off Pomeroy Lane in South Amherst.Town Manager Paul Bockelman, in a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Speed and efficiency in searching for and rescuing those lost in remote locations increases survival rates, with success going down dramatically when such operations last more than a day, experts say.Understanding that there may be ways to...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — At Amherst Cinema’s four theaters, the month of December saw multiple sold-out screenings of movies, some of which were filmed in Massachusetts, and most of which have award-season buzz.Nearby, at The Drake performance venue, a dozen acts...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A long-running program in which middle school students and their chaperones from Kanegasaki, Japan, visit Amherst could resume this year as the elected leaders in both communities this week renewed a friendship agreement.At the Amherst Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A new book being released this week by a former member of the Amherst Town Council is drawing on her experiences as an elected municipal leader, with hopes that lessons included might help replace divisions with understanding and purposeful...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — After more than four years of leading the Amherst Business Improvement District, undertaking projects including the creation of The Drake performance venue and assisting small businesses through the COVID pandemic, Gabrielle Gould will be...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Senior citizens are appealing to the Town Council to provide better financial support for the Senior Center and make a commitment to paying for physical upgrades and security improvements to the space reserved for senior citizens at the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A new wetlands protection bylaw to replace one first adopted 37 years ago is part of a seven-article warrant for a special Town Meeting set for Jan. 16.Before the meeting is held, though, the activist group Smart Solar Shutesbury is...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Contending that tens of billions of dollars are going to for-profit insurance companies instead of paying for necessary medical needs of senior citizens, Valley Action in Amherst and other regional activist groups are calling for stronger...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A $4.74 million project to rebuild and reorient the high school track and field is receiving significant financial support from families, individuals and businesses who have contributed to the Amherst Hurricane Boosters’ fundraising...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy is being celebrated in Amherst with two community events next week coinciding with the federal holiday that, in 2024, marks the civil rights pioneer’s 95th birthday.On Monday at 1 p.m. at...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A year after joining the Hadley Police Department in 2014, Staff Sgt. Michael Romano became the town’s first school resource officer, taking on a role aimed at keeping students, teachers and staff safe at the four campuses in town.Over the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — While some residents may worry about potential damage to the historic Simeon Strong House during expansion of the neighboring Jones Library, trustees for the Amherst Historical Society are assuring the public that, as caretakers of the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — More effectively evaluating and prioritizing issues introduced to the Town Council and providing a greater understanding to the public of how decisions will affect them are among steps District 2 Councilor Lynn Griesemer is pledging to take...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A revised club alcohol license for the Young Men’s Club that offers more flexibility for where members and their guests can be served and consume alcohol at the 138 East St. property, including on an outside deck, has been approved by the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Beginning in either fall 2025 or fall 2026, sixth graders at Amherst’s three elementary schools will be relocating to the Amherst Regional Middle School.But even after extensive planning was previously completed for a move that was supposed...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Before renovations and expansion of the Jones Library begin later this winter, the public is invited to tour the 43 Amity St. building, including portions of the 1928 and 1993 addition normally open only to staff.On Saturday, the Friends of...