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By SARENA NEYMAN

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Possible rapid loss of both forests and farms in the Connecticut River Valley, as Massachusetts expedites the process for getting renewable energy projects online, is among concerns being addressed for the region’s rural communities in the new climate and energy state law, according to the local legislators who helped craft the legislation.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Responding to Massachusetts Historical Commission concerns about aspects of the planned expansion and renovation of the Jones Library, library officials are recommending a new slate roof be installed on the historic portion of the building, and that a book drop cut into the front facade be removed from the plans.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Weekly massage client Debra Morin went all in on a two-for-one holiday season promotion in 2023 at Elements Massage studio.

By SAMUEL GELINAS

NORTHAMPTON — When he was growing up, Daniel Nye says the presence of World War II vets had been “pretty ubiquitous.” Now he says, “they seem to have disappeared.”

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An overlay zoning district for some or all existing apartment complexes in Amherst, which if created would make it easier for developers to bring more housing density to those properties, could be considered by the Planning Board.

By CHRIS LARABEE

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is seeking information about weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024 from farmers across the state as it prepares to report damages to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which will split up $220 million in relief funding among eight states.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst’s efforts to ensure there is housing for people of all income levels, including through a revised housing production plan and various rezoning initiatives, is underway.

By GARRETT COTE

AMHERST — It’s become quite clear that UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak was very busy recruiting throughout the holidays, as he’s signed five transfers since Christmas — four coming in the month of January alone.

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — Three artists will transform the Belchertown Transfer Station’s brown recycling containers into works of art that incorporate opinions from residents in the design and execution of the murals.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Adding sidewalks to road projects, improving connections to bike paths and making other safety enhancements for pedestrians and bicyclists could be supported in Hadley through the state’s Complete Streets Funding Program.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A former farmstand and ice cream shop at 10 Rocky Hill Road, closed for most of the past 33 years, and the 1.4 acres of land on which the vacant 2,445-square foot building sits, are heading to a foreclosure auction in January.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Companies, rather than families or individuals, acquired an average of more than 10 single-family homes each year from long-term residents over a recent five-year period, according to information presented to the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust.

On the precipice of a new quarter-century, where do we stand? Amherst remains both a quintessential New England college town and a vibrant global village. Downtown boasts 45-plus eateries serving flavors from around the world, unique boutiques, and top-notch museums and cultural institutions including Amherst Cinema, The Drake, and the Jones Library.

’Twas the fifth day before Christmas when a notice was delivered to each and every home of the Hadley Housing Authority, home to 40 elderly and disabled people. Lights were blinking it must be the season!

Rentheads, rejoice! Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp (who played Roger and Mark, respectively, in the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical) will perform together at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Bowker Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m.

By JOAN AXELROD-CONTRADA

Life is like a washing machine – complete with cycles and plenty of agitating to get at the messy stuff. If I were a songwriter (spoiler alert: I’m not), I’d pen a catchy tune about that simile, weaving together verses and a killer refrain set to the hum of a real washing machine.

By GARRETT COTE

Jamila Wideman has added another chapter to an already illustrious basketball career, as the WNBA’s Washington Mystics announced Wideman as the organization’s general manager late last month.

By CAROLYN BROWN

Fans of the Disney musical “Newsies” generally know the titular group of characters as boys, but a local theater company’s upcoming production is expanding the show to include female and nonbinary characters.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Moments before a Danvers resident appeared ready to end his own life on the morning of Jan. 1, a Shutesbury police sergeant located the man’s vehicle parked off Route 202 and engaged in a conversation that convinced him to remain alive, and then be brought to a hospital for needed physical and mental help.

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A New Hampshire timber company has closed on a massive land buy of nearly 2,400 acres in seven communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties, acquiring five parcels for more than $20 million from Amherst-based W.D. Cowls Inc.