A Look Back, March 25

1,000 Amherst regional students greet education officials, legislators in advance of legislative hearing on school funding

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — At least 1,000 students, staff and faculty, many from the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, descended on the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts Monday morning, rallying to preserve 18 positions at the middle and high schools that could be lost due to budget cuts.

Legislators: State’s school funding formula has ‘left us out,’ call for changes at hearing held at UMass

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Five years after its approval, legislation aimed at improving K-12 education statewide known as the Student Opportunity Act is not infusing school districts in western Massachusetts with much-needed additional funding as promised.

Irate Valley farmers sound off over ag cuts at ‘Attack on Small Farms’ rally

By SAMUEL GELINAS

HADLEY — Irate farmers, waving signs and pitchforks, gathered in front Town Hall on Sunday afternoon as tractors rolled in and the Expandable Brass Band played at the start of a “Attack on Small Farms” protest.

Contests shaping up for spring election in Granby

By EMILEE KLEIN

GRANBY — With the deadline to pull election papers set for Wednesday, contests are shaping up for a handful of municipal positions on the Select Board, Board of Health, Town Clerk and School Committee.

Granby fire destroys barn, contents

By EMILEE KLEIN

GRANBY — A fire tore through a barn on Morgan Street Sunday afternoon, ultimately resulting in a complete loss of the structure and its contents.

Bill aims to remove barriers for physician assistants

By ALEXA LEWIS

NORTHAMPTON — Physician assistants and health care advocates are hopeful a bill being considered on Beacon Hill could help to address a statewide shortage in primary care providers.

At special TM, Southampton voters OK $3.2M to launch planning for public safety complex

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Over 100 Southampton voters elected to pass all but one article at a special Town Meeting held on Saturday morning.

Route 9 widening in Hadley to resume Tuesday

By Staff Report

HADLEY — Drainage work on South Maple Street, near the entrance to the Popeye’s restaurant, marks the resumption of the ongoing Route 9 widening project Tuesday morning.

At urging of constituents, Easthampton council backs state legislation calling for rent stabilization

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — After hearing impassioned testimony from residents, the City Council has adopted a resolution in favor of legislation designed to stabilize rents.

A Look Back, March 24

Home construction in Hampshire County has come to a virtual standstill because of the economic recession, and there are few signs that the industry will pick up during spring or summer. In Amherst and Northampton, only three building permits for new homes have been requested and issued in each community over the first three months of 1975.

Photos: Celebrating all things Irish at Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Booster group aims to ease disruptions during Northampton’s downtown makeover

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — A coalition of leaders affiliated with the city and its major business associations have come together to advocate for the Picture Main Street project, currently on pace to begin construction next year to dramatically remake the city’s downtown.

Destination Hampshire County: Experts discuss ways to boost, advocate for tourist economy

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Visitors from Lexington and Marblehead were among those who came to see “Generic Male,” the off-Broadway physical theater performed at Northampton’s Academy of Music in early March.

Families raise concerns about assault, other incidents at Fort River School in Amherst

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Some Fort River School families and staff are faulting district leadership for failing to address a physical and verbal assault of a parent in the school’s lobby on Feb. 10, along with other incidents of bullying and harassment by parents, that have occurred over the course of the school year.

Photo: Condo project set to begin in Amherst

State doles out green grants to Northampton, Westhampton for school buildings

By ALEXA LEWIS

Northampton and Westhampton have been awarded Green Communities competitive grants that they plan to put toward enhancing the energy efficiency of school buildings.

Hadley officials worry about costs to transition to town-run ambulance service; fire chief makes case for idea

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Even as some members of the Hadley Fire Department are training to become paramedics and others are preparing for a transition to a fully town-run Advanced Life Support ambulance service, those serving on the Select Board and Finance Committee are cautioning that this effort may not be realistic.

South Hadley election on April 8 to feature few contests

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADELY — It’s shaping up to be a quiet election season in town this year, with a host of incumbents or newcomers running unopposed and only two contested races in District 1.