National Adoption Day: In a courthouse in Hadley, 14 children and their families formalize their bond

HADLEY - The Blair family keeps on growing. Friday, Martha and Wayne Blair of Leeds officially adopted 3-year-old Savannah. It was a big to-do, attended not only by mom and dad, her big sister and two big brothers, but also by the people she calls grandma and papa and uncle and aunt. And there were plenty of stories just like Savannah's: Adoptions for 13 other children from Hampshire and Franklin counties were finalized at the courthouse Friday as part of National Adoption Day.
--Judge cites desperate need in region for foster families
--Trumpeting the value of foster care adoption

Judge cites desperate need in region for foster families

HADLEY - "We need - desperately, desperately need in this region - foster families," Judge Lillian Miranda told a crowd gathered Friday to celebrate National Adoption Day at Franklin/Hampshire Juvenile Court.

Although virtually anyone can be a foster parent, the judge said, it takes "commitment and selflessness."

Area Police News

Technology helps nab suspect in laptop theft

AMHERST - Modern technology that included the use of surveillance cameras and an anti-theft device for a computer assisted University of Massachusetts police locate a man who stole a laptop and an iPod from a dorm room earlier this month.

Tax hike less steep for Hadley residents

HADLEY - The average annual tax bill will increase this year from $2,807 to $2,860, but this hike is lower than normal.

Last year, the average assessed valuation in Hadley was $308,500 and the tax rate per $1,000 was $9.10. This year, the average valuation declined to $306,900 while the tax rate increased to $9.32, said Assessor Dan Zdonek.

Area Police News

Police alert residents to string of break-ins

AMHERST - Police are asking residents of North Amherst apartment complexes to be aware of suspicious people and to keep their doors and windows locked following a string of recent break-ins, including one Monday night in which burglars were still inside when the resident returned home.

Daniel Drzal, longtime architect

CHICOPEE -Daniel William Drzal, 70, of Chicopee, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, in Baystate Franklin Medical Center Greenfield.

PILOT cuts may hurt area towns

BOSTON - In announcing painful budget cuts last month, Gov. Deval Patrick highlighted the fact local aid - the money cities and towns use to fund schools and emergency services - would not be touched.