MassWildlife to host free fishing this weekend

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife will host a Free Freshwater Fishing Weekend statewide on Saturday and Sunday, June 1-2. During this weekend, residents and visitors can fish in any public lake, pond, reservoir, stream, or river in Massachusetts without a fishing license.

This annual event is designed to encourage people of all ages to experience the joys of fishing. Participants must adhere to catch limits and all other fishing regulations.

Use the Go Fish MA! fishing map to find places to fish close to home. Anglers can also explore trout-stocked waters or handicapped-accessible fishing sites.

Other than Free Fishing Weekend, you need a license to fish in fresh water if you are 15 or older. If you’re 15-17 or 70 and older, your license is free. Funds from fishing license sales support MassWildlife’s fisheries research, fish stocking program, and angler education programs.

Bridge closing in Deerfield

DEERFIELD — The “Dry Bridge” carrying North Main Street over the railroad in South Deerfield will be closed to traffic indefinitely as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation repairs deteriorated decking discovered during scheduled maintenance Wednesday.

During the closure, traffic coming from South Deerfield village will be detoured to Hillside Road, while traffic on the northern end of the street will be detoured to Routes 5 and 10 toward North Hillside Road. Drivers in the area are urged to reduce their speed, use caution and expect delays.

Hadley Select Board seeks community advisers

HADLEY — Volunteers interested in advising the Select Board on the organization and structure of the executive and administrative functions of town government, and the possibility of moving to a strong town administrator, are being sought for a new town committee.

The committee will include up to nine residents, all registered voters, and two members of the Select Board.

Candidates should be residents who are knowledgeable about town government, active in the community, and have some professional background and experience in the structure and management of organizations. The Collins Center for Public Management at the University of Massachusetts-Boston, which specializes in government restructuring, will assist and help guide the committee during the process.

Applications will be accepted until July 26.

The process to study a change in Hadley’s government structure to a strong town administrator will begin in August, with a proposed recommendation to the Select Board in January.

If approved by the Select Board and then Town Meeting, the proposed change in form of government would go to the state Legislature and governor for approval. Following that process, it would be presented to Hadley voters in a townwide referendum.

Residents interested in being on the committee should send a letter of interest and resume to the Select Board at info@hadleyma.gov.

Hadley seniorcitizens to perform

HADLEY — “Murder at Serenity Acres” is the title of a performance that Hadley senior citizens are putting on at the Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle St., on Tuesday afternoon.

The senior theater project, written and directed by Steve Henderson, features courtroom scenes in a comic setting, all acted out by the Senior Players. The Senior Players are Hadley residents and others who participate in activities at the Senior Center and have been rehearsing for the performance for several weeks.

Seatings for the free shows will be at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. To reserve seating or for more information, call the Senior Center at 586-4023.

The event is sponsored by the Hadley Cultural Council and Friends of Hadley Council on Aging.

Gun violenceawareness event at Holyoke City Hall

HOLYOKE — A gun violence awareness observance will be held at Holyoke City Hall on Monday, June 3, at 2 p.m. The public is invited.

Anne Thalheimer, area representative for Wear Orange and a survivor of gun violence when she was a college student, is the organizer.

The program will include statements from individuals whose lives have been affected by gun violence, and the reading of a proclamation by Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia.

Orange has been the defining color of the gun violence prevention movement nationwide. It is the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others. In January 2013, Hadiya Pendleton was killed in Chicago at the age of 15 one week after performing at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013. Friends of Hadiya wore orange in her honor.

According to the Wear Orange website, more than 120 people are shot and killed — and hundreds more are wounded — every day in America.