Close call: Belchertown override vote passes by 21 votes

05-20-2025 12:16 PM

BELCHERTOWN — In counting that came down to the wire, voters at town election on Monday approved a $2.9 million Proposition 2½ override by a mere 21 votes, according to unofficial results compiled Tuesday morning.


Search underway in Connecticut River for kayaker whose boat capsized near bridge connecting Holyoke, South Hadley

05-20-2025 11:16 AM

HOLYOKE — Teams of emergency personnel were scouring the Connecticut River Tuesday in search of 27-year-old Niklas Delisle, who was carried away by the current Monday night after his kayak capsized.


Sports

Opinion


Alex Kent: A call for leadership
05-20-2025 12:06 PM

I have sent the following message to Congressman Jim McGovern and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, and I would like to share it here: I am honored to have you as my representative in Congress, but I must ask you now to step outside of your comfort zone as a representative and a lawmaker. I am asking you to become a leader. Our country is now under the control of a man of the lowest, most dangerous character. In the Trump regime, as they say in Russian, “Dna ne sushchestvuet,” which means “there is no bottom.” I am asking you, imploring you, to join with other Democratic leaders in the House and Senate to call a general strike. It is time to shut the country down, even at risk that MAGA cult members will bring out their guns and shoot people in the streets, even at risk that the regime will declare martial law and order American troops to use violence to suppress protest by the American people. It is time for millions and millions of Americans to take to the streets and take down this vile and intolerably corrupt regime. At a recent town hall meeting in Northampton, a member of the audience shouted out a question to Jim McGovern: “How will you lead us?” Perhaps as your constituents, it is incumbent on all of us to rise up in massive protest. But the fact remains that we need we need leadership to make these protests happen. Without action now, our democracy will be permanently destroyed and the entire world put in jeopardy. Please lead us!

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Business


Chipotle opens on King Street in Northampton
05-15-2025 10:42 AM

NORTHAMPTON — Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its first location in Northampton on Wednesday.

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Arts & Life


Speaking of Nature: Celebrating 28 years of Speaking of Nature: A new resolution for the future of my bird-watching
05-20-2025 3:38 PM

Last Saturday was a bit of a milestone for me. It might easily have come and gone without me realizing it, but thanks to my obsessive record keeping I happened to see a notation in the pages of my 2025 field diary and avoided an embarrassing oversight. Last Saturday marked the 28th anniversary of Speaking of Nature, an event that I don’t think I could have ever imagined back in 1997 when I sent in my first column.

Obituaries

Obit photo for Christopher S. Bartlett Christopher S. Bartlett

Pelham, MA - Christopher S. Bartlett, of Pelham, MA, passed away on April 25, 2025, in the fire that consumed his home. He was 31, just getting started on his own path and now gone; we are heartbroken at his loss. Chris graduated fr... remainder of obit for Christopher S. Bartlett

Obit photo for Frederick William Drake Jr. Frederick William Drake Jr.

Frederick Drake Jr. Chesterfield, MA - Frederick William Drake Jr., 73, of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, formerly of Somers, Connecticut, passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2025 in County Clare, Ireland after a wonderful trip with family... remainder of obit for Frederick William Drake Jr.

Obit photo for Walter C. Bilski Walter C. Bilski

Walter ("Walt") C. Bilski Easthampton, MA - Walter ("Walt") C. Bilski, of Easthampton, MA passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on May 15, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born in Springfield MA, on Jan 13, 1948, the son of Che... remainder of obit for Walter C. Bilski

Obit photo for Gerald Sweet Gerald Sweet

North Hatfield, MA - Gerald Alvin Sweet passed away peacefully at home with his daughters by his side after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. Gerry was born on January 14, 1956 in Buckland, MA to the late Gordon and Goldie ... remainder of obit for Gerald Sweet

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