Latest News
Leverett leaders look to trim 5.3% budget increase
Hampshire Regional district’s $18.2M budget up slightly, will lead to elimination of 3 positions
Falls Farm fined by MassDEP for erosion, wetlands issues
Area briefs: Easthampton woman wins lottery; Magic for Maddie 3v3 tourney; Free screening of ‘Recovery City’; Home & Garden Show kicks off Thursday
Guest columnist Jim Palermo: Government in society’s best interests
Federal workers, supporters demonstrate to save US Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast headquarters
Amherst council decision forces regional school district back to drawing board on next year’s budget
Belchertown election to feature races for Select Board, School Committee
Easthampton suspends zoning enforcement on short-term rentals
Tax amendment could safeguard state’s small farms
BOSTON — A pair of western Massachusetts lawmakers made an urgent plea to their colleagues Tuesday to allow smaller farms to access property tax benefits currently available only to their larger peers.
Declutter your mind, with some help: Local author offers 201 prompts of ‘Fierce Encouragement’ to aspiring writers
Author Margaret Atwood supposedly once said, “If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” With a new book, “Fierce Encouragement: 201 Writing Prompts for Staying Grounded in Fragile Times,” author and writing coach Jena Schwartz wants to inspire writers to build their own creative practices, no matter if the result isn’t entirely perfect.
Most Read
Irate Valley farmers sound off over ag cuts at ‘Attack on Small Farms’ rally
Legislators: State’s school funding formula has ‘left us out,’ call for changes at hearing held at UMass
Beacon Hill Roll Call, Dec. 23-27
1,000 Amherst regional students greet education officials, legislators in advance of legislative hearing on school funding
Booster group aims to ease disruptions during Northampton’s downtown makeover
A memorable run: Smith continues run of success in reaching another national title game
Editors Picks
A Look Back, March 26
Photo: Thinking spring
Arts Briefs: Opportunities for local creatives, All Hamptons Read, Jewish Film Fest, and more
‘Let’s be vulnerable together’: K and E Theater Group finds light in the darkness with ‘Spring Awakening’ performances in Northampton
Sports
A memorable run: Smith continues run of success in reaching another national title game
NORTHAMPTON — After watching for just 10 minutes, I reached for my phone, picked it up and texted as many of my friends who love the game of basketball as I could.
NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Ice Hockey: UMass to face Minnesota in first round of NCAA tournament on Thursday
NCAA Div. 3 Women’s Ice Hockey: Amherst College defeats Colby, 4-1, heads to Final Four
NCAA Div. 3 Women’s Basketball: Smith College falls to NYU in title game, 77-49
Smith College reaches Div. III National Championship Game for second straight year following 49-47 victory over Wisconsin-OshkoshOpinion
Joseph Twarog: Praise for city dispatchers
The Northampton city dispatchers deserve recognition for their professionalism, skill, knowledge, expertise and patience in handling emergency calls. They are to be commended for their work. Great job!
Elisa K. Campbell: Thoughts on driving through Northampton
Sarah Wishnevsky: Russia started it
Alan Kanner: Comparison
Mark S. Augarten: Insurance costs and municipalities
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
State pilot program puts restaurant takeout meals on food aid menus around region
NORTHAMPTON — More than a half-dozen restaurants in Hampshire County are partnering with survival centers in Northampton and Amherst to provide free meals to those facing food insecurity in the region as part of a larger initiative taking place statewide.
Mill River Music jams: Northampton guitar shop relocates to larger digs on King Street
Area property deed transfers, March 21
Making News in Business, March 21
The Roost set to close in Northampton after 14 years
e-Edition
Arts & Life
Earth Matters: Do plants know math? Three Valley plants share a surprising secret
Asparagus, strawberries and sunflowers are, to my mind, three of the best reasons to live in western Massachusetts.
Speaking of Nature: Survival of the cautious?: An argument for slowing down just a little bit
‘Apologizing is a courageous act’: Forbes Library to host an apology installation and workshop
Fight like a girl: Professional boxer launches women-only, all-level classes in Greenfield
There is a Season with Molly Parr: The secret’s in the sauce: Gluten-free, dairy-free Fried Tofu with Sweet and Sour NoodlesObituaries
Joseph Sharp
Northampton, MA - Joseph G. Sharp, 81, of Northampton, passed away on February 18 at Baystate Medical Center. He was born on December 1, 1943, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Enid and Garland Sharp. He graduated from Michigan State Un... remainder of obit for Joseph Sharp
Walter S. Dragon
Florence, MA - Walter Dragon of Deerfield Drive in Florence, Ma is now resting in peace at the age of 99, after a life well lived. Walter died on Saturday morning, March 22, 2025, with his loving wife at his bedside. Walter attended... remainder of obit for Walter S. Dragon
Nicholas Xenos
Amherst, MA - Nicholas Xenos died on Wednesday, March 12th after a brief and acute illness. He died in the company of his beloved wife Lynn Peterfreund, and sons Ezra and Sam. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn in 1948 into the Greek immigran... remainder of obit for Nicholas Xenos
Anne Shaffer
Brea, CA - Anne E. Shaffer died unexpectedly on March 17, 2025 at St. Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, CA. Anne was predeceased by her parents Edward and Mary Parrow and by her sister-in-law Tracy Tracum. Anne was born June 10, 1962 at Co... remainder of obit for Anne Shaffer
