A Look Back, May 17

By JIM BRIDGMAN

The cornerstone of the meetinghouse for the second congregational society of Northampton will be laid on Wednesday next. An address will be delivered by Charles E. Forbes, Esq.

Feds strip $1M grant from Jones Library; backers say loss won’t stop renovation project

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A $1 million National Endowment for the Humanities grant awarded to the Jones Library two years ago is being canceled by the Trump administration.

From trash to treasure: UMass New2U thrift store reduces waste, student expenses

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — In separate trips to the plaza outside Hampden Commons on the University of Massachusetts campus Wednesday morning, sophomore Grace Altman hand-delivered an upholstered headboard with outlets, and a rug and ottoman, furnishings she had in her Southwest Residential Area dorm room.

Override debate heats up in Belchertown: ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ camps make case to voters in advance of town election

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — Since the first week in March, Belchertown has wrestled with the proper approach to the financial fiscal cliff that’s in front of them — a $1.6 million level-service budget shortfall in the school department that will eliminate 30 positions and close Cold Spring School.

Answering the call: Former Boy Scouts set up fundraiser at Look Park to help troop leader in kidney failure

By SAMUEL GELINAS

NORTHAMPTON — Adam Gagne, once an Eagle Scout troop leader who impacted the lives of hundreds of Northampton area scouts, is being returned the favor by many of his former scouts who are embarking on yet another community service project — but this time, to help their former troop leader.

Northampton schools, union reach deal on contract, ending work-to-rule

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Association of School Employees (NASE) union and the school district’s negotiating committee reached a tentative agreement on a new contract Wednesday, ending a work-to-rule action the union initiated on Monday.

Shutesbury police chief on leave

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Police Chief Kristin Burgess is taking a leave of absence from her position overseeing the department, according to an email sent by the Select Board to residents Thursday night.

Two-person race for Hatfield Select Board set for town election on Tuesday

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HATFIELD — Voters at town election Tuesday will decide a three-year seat on the Select Board in a race between incumbent Diana Szynal, president and CEO of the Springfield Regional Chamber, and Luke Longstreeth, co-owner of a Hadley landscaping business and a Hatfield Fire Department captain.

Westhampton TM adopts $7.6M budget, as well as big land buy, solar array atop public safety complex

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — At a five-hour Town Meeting last weekend, Westhampton voters approved a $7.6 million operating budget, gave the town permission to acquire and preserve more than 200 acres, approved borrowing for a solar array on the public safety complex and more.

Barr wins write-in for Select Board seat in Pelham

Staff Report

PELHAM — Write-in candidate Jessica Gail Barr of Bray Court earned election to the Select Board at Tuesday’s town election, based on unofficial results released by the town clerk’s office.

A Look Back, May 16

By JIM BRIDGMAN

Spokesmen in Amherst say they were pleased by yesterday’s announcement that officials of the John F. Kennedy Library Corp. have narrowed site choices to the University of Massachusetts campuses at Amherst and Boston. Amherst Selectmen Chair Nancy Eddy commented today, “This is a real shot in the arm for the university. It’s a real plum for the university no matter what campus is decided upon.”

Push on to protect Native heritage: Indigenous leaders gather with legislators to support five-bill agenda

By SAMUEL GELINAS

BOSTON — Indigenous leaders took the podium in the State House this week to voice united support for five pieces of legislation filed on behalf on their communities, including bills that would say goodbye to Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day and bar the use of Indigenous-themed mascots in public schools.

State issues open call for new seal, flag and motto

By COLIN A. YOUNG

BOSTON — The state is soliciting proposals from artists, historians, designers, “culture bearers” and anyone else who has an idea for a new Massachusetts state seal, flag and motto.

MassHealth warns of big coverage, funding losses under GOP plans

By CHRIS LISINKSI

BOSTON — A key piece of a federal spending cut and tax relief plan that’s on the move in Washington could result in Massachusetts losing more than $1 billion annually and hundreds of thousands of Bay Staters losing health coverage, according to the Healey administration.

‘This is not fair to us’: Amherst Regional Middle School leaders outline poor conditions, ask committee for help

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Falling ceiling tiles, locked bathrooms with broken stalls and a class schedule that regularly drops a guided academic study and advisory period are among concerns Amherst Regional Middle School student leaders are bringing to the Regional School Committee.

South Hadley TM creates first historic district, declares town a ‘welcoming community’

By EMILEE KLEIN

SOUTH HADLEY — Town Meeting members on Wednesday overwhelmingly supported the formal creation of the town’s first historic district, declared the town a “welcoming community,” and established an affordable housing trust.

Amherst man gets 5 years on child porn charges

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Bradley James Driscoll, 26, of Amherst, will spend the next five years in prison for distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Photo: Fresh look coming for South Hadley’s Gaylord Memorial Library

Candidates make their case: Three residents vying for two positions on Belchertown Select Board; election set for Monday

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — With two seats on the Select Board up for grabs, voters will decide on Monday which of three candidates will hold decision-making power in town for the next three years.

Around Amherst: Historical Commission eyes barn preservation program

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A barn preservation program aimed at protecting iconic and historically valuable barns across Amherst is being introduced by the Historical Commission.