Truck fire snarls traffic, but no injuries reported

By Staff Report

NORTHAMPTON — Northampton firefighters put out a fully involved Toyota pickup truck on Interstate 91 Friday afternoon, a fire that caused significant traffic backups on the highway as spring break began at the local colleges and University of Massachusetts.

Sunderland, Deerfield and Conway elementary school budgets heading to votes

By CHRIS LARABEE

Budget season rolls on at the Frontier Regional and Union 38 school districts, with Sunderland, Deerfield and Conway elementary schools recently sharing their fiscal year 2026 budget proposals.

Amherst draft housing plan calls for between 265-715 new units in five years

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A draft housing production plan with a series of strategies to ensure there are sufficient housing options in Amherst for people with a range of income levels is suggesting Amherst produce 265 to 715 new housing units by 2030.

Photos: Hampshire Regional to present musical ‘Something Rotten’ this weekend

WESTHAMPTON — The Hampshire Regional High School Drama Company will take to the stage this weekend for performances of the musical “Something Rotten.” Shows will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 21 and 22, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, March 23, at 2 p.m.

Planning commission to hire regional energy manager for 15 communities in Hampshire, Hampden counties

By EMILEE KLEIN

LUDLOW — A new regional energy manager will guide decarbonization and sustainable energy efforts for 15 communities in Hampshire and Hampden counties as part of a collaboration to bring down energy costs.

Maple syrup boil causes brush fire in Leverett

By Staff Report

LEVERETT — An outdoor maple syrup boil is being blamed for causing a brush fire that consumed about 3 acres of land near the intersection of North Leverett and Richardson roads on Friday afternoon, according to the Leverett Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Beacon Hill Roll Call, March 3-7

By BOB KATZEN

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives’ votes on roll calls from recent debate on the House rules. There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week.

Forbes Library to build outdoor stage for events

By ALEXA LEWIS

NORTHAMPTON — Forbes Library will embark on an ambitious new enhancement to its outdoor community space later this month by breaking ground on a new outdoor performance stage.

West-East Rail funding uncertain under Trump administration

By MITCH FINK

President Donald Trump’s return to office has raised questions about the future of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding Massachusetts secured for its West-East Rail plan with suggestions the administration may place a greater emphasis on birth and marriage rates and immigration policy.

MDAR commissioner pens letter to USDA over uncertain funding and impact on farmers

By CHRIS LARABEE

BOSTON — As farmers prepare to head out to the fields for the season, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle sent a letter to the new U.S. agriculture secretary expressing concerns over uncertain federal funding and other actions taken by the federal government.

A Look Back, March 17

Pulaski Park will receive a face lifting under a $15,000 matching funds grant from the Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission. Plans for the project include moving the Pulaski Memorial closer to Main Street, providing rest areas with new plantings and benches, improving circulation through the park and establishing a large, paved activities area adjacent to the Academy of Music.

Photos: Sweet plantings

Area briefs: Tapestry Health’s 2025 gala; Ghost hunter to speak at Granby Library; S. Hadley to host Candidates Night; Amherst League of Women Voters luncheon; Institute holding pollinator workshop

HOLYOKE — Tapestry Health will hold its 2025 gala, “An Evening Under the Stars,” on Friday, April 4, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Log Cabin in Holyoke.

Around the Hamptons: Nomination papers available in Southampton; Easthampton to hold CDBG hearing

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Nomination papers are now available in the Town Clerk’s office to those interested in serving in an elected position in town. The deadline for returning a nomination is March 31 by 5 p.m.

Amherst councilor eyes funding cut for public art projects

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Five years ago, Amherst became one of the first communities in Massachusetts to adopt a Percent for Art bylaw, ensuring that school and town building projects priced at $1 million or more would incorporate permanent art installations 

Southampton to hold special TM Saturday, debt exclusion for public safety complex on docket

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — The town will hold a special Town Meeting on Saturday, March 22, to discuss nine articles, including a $3.2 million debt exclusion for engineering and architectural services for the construction of a new public safety complex and appropriation of $15,000 to preserve the historic First Congregational Church.

Robot does the recycling work: UMass grads show off their AI-powered robotic trash sorter

By EMILEE KLEIN

AMHERST — Peanut butter jars, takeout containers and soft plastic wrap often end up in the recycling bin, contaminating viable plastic, cardboard and paper for recycling and resulting in more garbage in landfills.

Feds target UMass over charges of antisemitism on campus

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Alleging there has been antisemitic discrimination and harassment at 60 colleges and universities across the country, including at the University of Massachusetts campus in Amherst, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is warning of potential enforcement actions, according to a letter sent on Monday.

Sunderland discovers capital override amount not raised through taxes

By CHRIS LARABEE

SUNDERLAND — When preparing the fiscal year 2026 revenue sheets, town officials discovered an omission on residents’ tax bills.

A Look Back, March 15

We are informed that the project of a canal from New Haven through Farmington to the Connecticut River at Northampton, which has lain in suspense during the last season, is soon to be revived. Difficulties had arisen from an apprehension of the impracticability of passing the plains on each side of the Westfield valley, and of crossing by an aqueduct the Westfield great river.