State’s top educator holds court at Belchertown schools for Black History Month

02-28-2025 12:41 PM

BELCHERTOWN — For 15 minutes Wednesday morning, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler turned the Belchertown High School Auditorium into his history classroom, teaching the Belchertown student body about a series of individuals who shattered the glass ceilings for Black people in their respective industries.


Protesters make demands of Smith College: divest, decry ‘scholasticide,’ change policy on campus activism

02-27-2025 5:03 PM

NORTHAMPTON — As Smithies made their way around campus at lunch hour on Thursday, 20 or so protesters stood in numbingly cold rain, lining the sidewalk along Elm Street to decry what they allege is the school’s “complicity with genocide,” and voiced three demands.


Sports


On The Run with John Stifler: Downtown Northampton is worth the walk
02-28-2025 1:15 PM

As soon as I write “Picture Main Street” here, I’ll hasten to say this is not an opinion piece about whether or not widening sidewalks, reducing the number of automobile lanes in downtown Northampton from four and a half to three, and adding more bike lanes is a good idea. I appreciate concerns from downtown businesses about losing sales because getting around town may be difficult during the remodeling. I also think narrowing Main Street ultimately won’t make the traffic more congested, and the result may look as nice as the pedestrian-friendly centers of Boulder, Colorado, and Burlington, Vermont.

Opinion


Stephen Gilson: No, not all agree Northampton schools are in ‘crisis’
02-27-2025 5:56 PM

I cannot imagine a more incorrect headline than the one that ran on Page 1 on Feb. 22: “All agree: Northampton schools in ‘crisis’ mode.” There are a few city councilors and a small but vocal group of parents demanding that the city recklessly spend $600,000 with 11 weeks left in the school year. Hardly everyone agrees that we are in a “crisis.”

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Obit photo for Stuart Pitrat Stuart Pitrat

South Daytona, FL - Stuart Pitrat Passed away on Jan 27, 2025. He was born in Northampton MA on March 15, 1971. He graduated from Northampton high school. He received his bachelor's degree from Colby college in Maine. After college ... remainder of obit for Stuart Pitrat

Obit photo for Peter Elbow Peter Elbow

Seattle, WA - PETER ELBOW, Emeritus Professor of English at UMass Amherst and author of Writing Without Teachers, died unexpectedly on February 6, 2025 at age 89 in Seattle. He is survived by his wife Cami, children Abby and Ben, and ... remainder of obit for Peter Elbow

Obit photo for WiLliam C. Duffus III WiLliam C. Duffus III

WIlliam C. "Bill" Duffus III S. Hadley, MA - William C. "Bill" Duffus III, of South Hadley, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 22, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was 64 at the time of his passing when he lost a h... remainder of obit for WiLliam C. Duffus III

Obit photo for Shirley Duga Shirley Duga

Belchertown, MA - Shirley Ann (Carlson) Duga, 89 years old of Belchertown, passed into eternal life at home with her family on February 20, 2025. Born on May 17, 1935, to Gustav and Isabele (Nelson) Carlson, Shirley was raised in Hardwi... remainder of obit for Shirley Duga

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