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‘Without us, there is no UMass’: Unions representing staff decry bargaining tactics by administration at campus rally

Easthampton forms committee to explore permanent Sept. 11 memorial; idea came in wake of flag controversy over pond
EASTHAMPTON — Nearly 24 years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the city is forming a tribute committee to develop a permanent memorial to honor the lives of those who served that day — an idea that emerged from a recent debate about flying the American flag over Nashawannuck Pond.
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Sports

Local baseball: Northampton Post 28 locks up playoff berth, Belchertown Post 239 secures No. 1 seed
The Northampton Post 28 Senior American Legion baseball team brought in a season-high 16 runs in its 16-8 win over the Wilbraham Falcons at Minnechaug Regional High School on Wednesday.



Opinion

Rutherford H. Platt: First Baptist Church project a foreshadowing of Picture Main Street?
Regarding the news article “Picture Main Street groups mobilize,” (Gazette, July 2), rather than repeating the many flaws in Picture Main Street, let’s consider a specific example of City Hall fallibility that happens to border Main Street. Whenever I am stuck at the Elm-West Street intersection (frequently), I glare at the “Hulk on the Hill” (aka the former First Baptist Church) behind its chain link fence and forbidding signage. It is outwardly unchanged since June 8, 2023 — over two years ago — when the city paid Eric Suher $3.175 million, promising to convert it into a community “resilience hub.” Great concept; but wrong property, location, and price.In a letter dated Nov. 17, 2022, the city informed its selected appraisal firm in East Longmeadow that “We have signed an option to purchase the building for $3.3 million.” Actually, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra did not sign an option until Dec. 9, 2022 after the city received the appraisal for exactly that price on Dec. 1 and Mr. Suher’s bid was opened the next day. No evidence appears that the city — the only buyer on the horizon — tried to negotiate a lower price for the benefit of its taxpayers.In April, 2024, a group of concerned citizens commissioned an independent reappraisal by Colliers Valuation and Advisory Services in Boston that determined that the property's fair market value as of the date the city bought it was actually $1.6 million, or less than half what the city paid. The city now owns a very expensive white elephant at the most hazardous intersection in downtown — with no elevator and only four off-street parking spaces.The city administration responsible for that fiasco is still in office. Should there be any confidence that Picture Main Street won't be a much larger disaster for downtown and the city’s tax base and reputation?Rutherford H. Platt




Your Daily Puzzles

An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."

A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.

Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.

Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.

Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business

Sidehill Farm yoghurt biz changes hands in Hawley
HAWLEY — After 25 years running Sidehill Farm, founders Paul Lacinski and Amy Klippenstein are moooving on.


Arts & Life

Book Review: Joy in ‘The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old’: Northampton author’s new book offers insights on aging
“The Wonder and Happiness of Being Old” by Sophy Burnham (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 256 pages)
Obituaries

Easthampton, MA - Margaret M. Mohr (Kessler) 104 (Easthampton's oldest resident) passed away peacefully at Cooley Dickenson / Mass General Brigham Hospital on July 12th, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was born at home on East Green... remainder of obit for Margaret M. Mohr

Ludlow, MA - Brooke, age 89, lately of Ludlow, MA, died peacefully on July 1, 2025, following a long illness. She was born in 1935 in Pyramid, Nevada, the only daughter of Francesca and Beverly Blackmer and the only white child ever bo... remainder of obit for Brooke Wiig Lynes

Leverett, MA - Elizabeth Saint Wilson Born December 21, 1925 to James and Amelia Saint in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Our beloved, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Betty, passed away peacefully in he... remainder of obit for Elizabeth Saint Wilson

Hadley, MA - On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Catherine A. Kelley, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, passed away peacefully four days before her 95th birthday. Cathy was born on July 16,1930 in H... remainder of obit for Catherine Kelley