First candidate emerges for Easthampton mayor

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The campaign to become the Easthampton’s next mayor officially kicks off this week, as Lindsi Sekula is the first candidate to announce her intention to become the city’s next chief executive officer.

Area briefs: Firefighting Academy graduates; S. Hadley Dems to elect delegates; Holyoke to observe Vietnam War Veterans Day; Holyoke parade sign carriers

State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership announced the graduation of 12 firefighters from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program, including Aaron Almeda and Michael Radke from the Easthampton Fire Department, Tiana Roy from South Hadley Fire District 1 and Kyle Cavanaugh from Holyoke.

A Look Back, March 18

Red Fire Farm joins lawsuit opposing federal fund freeze

By CHRIS LARABEE

WASHINGTON — As federal dollars continue to be frozen for projects across the nation, a Pioneer Valley farm has joined a federal lawsuit demanding the government lift the “unlawful and indefinite freeze of congressional appropriated funds,” according to documents filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Just like his parents before him, Brian O’Connor serving as Northampton marshal in St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Holyoke

By ALEXANDER MACDOUGALL

NORTHAMPTON — When he was a young child, Brian O’Connor remembers returning home from school, finishing his homework, and then heading to the Northampton St. Patrick’s Association with his parents to help plan for that year’s parade.

Northampton St. Pat’s Breakfast: Irish ribbing with a side of somber

By SAMUEL GELINAS

NORTHAMPTON — The first signs of green this spring were seen Monday at the Hotel Northampton for the annual Northampton St. Patrick’s Association’s Breakfast, where green sweaters, scarves, and shamrocks dominated ahead of next weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities in Holyoke.

Uphill climb: Amherst-Pelham Regional School budget proposal would reduce staffing cuts, but boost assessments

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee is putting forward a $37.08 million fiscal year 2026 budget that would limit some anticipated staffing cuts at the middle and high schools, a proposal that would significantly increase assessments for the four member towns.

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.