Latest News
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How ‘community’ became a harder lift: Smaller towns struggle amid a shrinking pool of volunteers
Small, rural towns like many of those in the Pioneer Valley are often lauded for their sense of community. What makes that community feel so welcoming and vibrant is often a small group of hardworking volunteers — people who keep town governments running, plan local events, and make sure food pantries stay stocked with nutritious foods.
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Shell yeah: At long last, Amherst Oyster Bar will open next month
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.
Most Read
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Editors Picks
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Sports
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UMass hockey: Minutemen cough up third-period lead to UNH
The No. 16 UMass hockey team failed to hold onto a 3-1 third-period lead in its 4-3 shootout loss to UNH on Friday in Durham.
Opinion
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David Milgrim: Icepocalypse caused by city mismanagement
I’m stunned that the city didn’t send out plows Sunday night starting around 10 p.m. It was obvious that this Icepocalypse would happen.
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Your Daily Puzzles
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An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
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A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
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Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
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Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
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Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business
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Going green: Window World of Western Massachusetts branches out with new insulation service
BELCHERTOWN — Window World of Western Massachusetts has a long history of providing quality windows and doors, but the business only provides one piece in the whole picture of home improvement — until now.
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Arts & Life
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From seed to sweep: Fifth graders at Hartsbrook School make brooms from scratch
Fifth grader Hattie Griffin rubs the soft, thin tree trunk with one piece of sandpaper before switching to a different piece with a softer grit, hoping to make her already-velvety broom handle even smoother.
Obituaries
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Hatfield, MA - Phyllis Lillian Redfern Muccino, 95 of Hatfield, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2025 in Agawam. She was born on January 22, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. She graduated from the Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene ... remainder of obit for Phyllis Muccino
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Anthony 'Jim' Stanne Plymouth, MA - Anthony James (Jim) Stanne, Jr., owner of Stanne Construction, Inc., and active community volunteer and philanthropist, died at his home in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on February 17, 2025. He was 71 year... remainder of obit for Anthony Stanne
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Mary A. (Brand) Vachula Westhampton , MA - Mary A. (Brand) Vachula, 69, of Westhampton passed away peacefully Friday Feb. 7, 2025 at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. She was born in Albany, NY, July 15, 1955, the daughter of t... remainder of obit for Mary A. Vachula
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[IMAGE]Norman E. "Waxy" Beckwith PLAINFIELD, MA - Norman E. Beckwith, 70, of Plainfield passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday at Cooley Dickinson Hospital with his family at his side. Waxy as family and friends knew him as, was born in Nor... remainder of obit for Norman E. Beckwith