Latest News




Strapped for school funding, Valley schools eye lagging state aid
In a state that prides itself on its educational prowess, Massachusetts school districts across the commonwealth are facing a crisis of ability to adequately fund their schools. Hampshire County has proved to be no exception.

Land trusts eye purchasing Beaver Brook Golf Course, plan on ‘rewilding’ 288-acre property
WILLIAMSBURG — The Trustees of Reservations and its affiliate Hilltown Land Trust are working to raise $1.5 million by June 30 to purchase Beaver Brook Golf Course in Williamsburg and Northampton with the ambitious goal to “rewild” the 288-acre property, turning it into an area for both recreation and conservation.
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Sports

Smith College reaches Div. III National Championship Game for second straight year following 49-47 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh
It’ll be a rematch in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship game.

Opinion

Anne Teschner: City should re-examine Picture Main Street
I have real concerns about Northampton moving forward with Picture Main Street. As currently configured, it is strange, bloated, disruptive and fails to address any real safety issues.





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.




Arts & Life

Fight like a girl: Professional boxer launches women-only, all-level classes in Greenfield
Local author, naturalist and former boxer Vanessa Chakour is leading a women’s boxing class at Franklin County’s YMCA.
Obituaries

Great Barrington, MA - Geoffrey Halstead Hickin, 82, was born on June 30, 1942, in New London, CT, to Albert Throsell Hickin and Jane McClure Hickin. He passed on January 16, 2025, of natural causes in Great Barrington, MA, having been ... remainder of obit for Geoffrey Hickin

Broad Brook, CT - Kathleen M. (Kessler) Furlani, 76, of Broad Brook, Connecticut peacefully passed away on March 16, 2025 in Uxbridge, MA. Kathy is survived by her husband, John Furlani, and her mother, Helen Kessler (96), of Broad Broo... remainder of obit for Kathleen Furlani

Hatfield, MA/Catskill, NY - Susan (Sue) Ann Berry, age 71 died unexpectedly at her home in Hatfield, MA on March 4, 2025. She was born September 23, 1953 in Adams, MA, the daughter of William and Pearl (Briggs) Pfister. She grew up in ... remainder of obit for Susan A. Berry

Northampton, MA - Dr. Guy Russell Marrocco, MD, MPH April 2, 1938 January 10, 2025 On January 10, 2025, Dr. Guy Russell Marrocco passed away at Baystate Regional Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, following a brief sta... remainder of obit for Guy Russell Marrocco