Leverett leaders look to trim 5.3% budget increase

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Town officials are trying to find ways to reduce proposed spending on school and town services before bringing a total municipal budget of around $7.9 million to residents at annual Town Meeting on May 3.

Hampshire Regional district’s $18.2M budget up slightly, will lead to elimination of 3 positions

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — The Hampshire Regional School District’s newly approved $18.2 million budget for next fiscal year presents a 4.5% increase in spending from the current year — but it carries with it the elimination of two full- and one part-time positions, which has raised concern from the district’s union.

Falls Farm fined by MassDEP for erosion, wetlands issues

By ERIN-LEIGH HOFFMAN

BOSTON — The state Department of Environmental Protection is fining Falls Farm, which has property in Montague and Sunderland, for violating the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Massachusetts Clean Water Act.

Area briefs: Easthampton woman wins lottery; Magic for Maddie 3v3 tourney; Free screening of ‘Recovery City’; Home & Garden Show kicks off Thursday

EASTHAMPTON — Diane Brown of Easthampton has won a $100 a week for life prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s new “$100 a Week for Life” $1 instant ticket game that went on sale last month.

Tax amendment could safeguard state’s small farms

By CHRIS LISINSKI

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.

A Look Back, March 26

Federal workers, supporters demonstrate to save US Fish and Wildlife’s Northeast headquarters

By EMILEE KLEIN

HADLEY — U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service employee Jackie Stephens starts her day at the Cronin Aquatic Resource Center in Sunderland by checking her email to see if she’s been fired.

Photo: Thinking spring

Boosting a shared mission: $300K influx will expand work of Tapestry, Craig’s Doors

By SAMUEL GELINAS

NORTHAMPTON — Homelessness and substance abuse are often two sides of the same coin — and a grant distribution of $150,000, matched by three municipalities, signals a focused effort to combat both in 14 Hampshire County communities.

Amherst council decision forces regional school district back to drawing board on next year’s budget

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — It’s back to the drawing board for the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools’ proposed budget for next year, after the Town Council on Monday rejected changing the way assessments are determined for each of the district’s four member towns.

Belchertown election to feature races for Select Board, School Committee

By EMILEE KLEIN

BELCHERTOWN — Races are heating up for the May 19 town election, where two seats on the Select Board and one seat on the School Committee are up for grabs.

Easthampton suspends zoning enforcement on short-term rentals

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMTON — The city has suspended its zoning enforcement on short-term rentals for review, hoping to clear up some confusion surrounding the regulation of these rentals in the community.

Northampton City Briefing: Family Fourth celebration faces funding shortfall; Agna won’t seek reelection to School Committee; Jersey Mike’s coming to King Street location

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

The Northampton Family Fourth Celebration is stepping up its call for donors ahead of its annual Fourth of July celebration, with the committee saying the event faces a “significant funding shortfall.”

Area briefs: Pardon Our Progress to hold workshop for businesses; HCC gallery hosting high school artwork; Free Creative Movement series for Hilltown families; Legislators to deliver for Meals on Wheels

NORTHAMPTON — Downtown business are invited to a “Survive and Thrive” workshop hosted by Pardon Our Progress and the Downtown Northampton Association scheduled for Monday, March 31, at noon, at Hotel Northampton.

A Look Back, March 25

Easthampton joins suit to stop dismantling of Education Department

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The Easthampton Public School district joined a coalition of educators, school districts and unions Monday in filing legal action against the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.

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.