Editorial: Battle against opioid abuse must continue

Despite advances made in Massachusetts during 2016 in battling opioid addiction, much work remains to be done in combating this nationwide blight.Last March, Gov. Charlie Baker signed what he called the most comprehensive law in the United States to...

Columnist Bill Newman: Is fascism at America’s door?

By BILL NEWMAN

A year ago I could not have imagined asking or being asked the question, is fascism at America’s door? Now I find it critical to contemplate the answer.The question takes me back to my senior year at Antioch College in 1972 when I was taking a course...

Editorial: Pan Am Railways slow with information 

Pan Am Railways may be doing a terrific job hauling freight, but the company’s public relations performance leaves too many communities on a side track.Pan Am, which transports freight throughout New England and has a rail yard in East Deerfield,...

Joshua Mintzer: Concerns about changes to marijuana measure

Concerns about changes to marijuana measure I am finding it increasingly difficult to have faith that our politicians will respect the will of the people with regards to the proper execution of Question 4.In the beginning, I certainly had a...

Editorial: Big-impact stories carry over to 2017

As 2016 slips into 2017, here are four major stories from the past year that will continue to have a big impact in the new year.TRUMP PRESIDENCY: Uncertainty is an apt term to describe the lead-up to Donald Trump’s presidency which starts Jan. 20....

Columnist Clare Higgins: Reflections on the Obama presidency

By CLARE HIGGINS

Eight years ago we were in the middle of what is now known as the Great Recession.The wildly inflated housing bubble burst, causing a crisis in the banking sector and sharp declines in consumer spending. The American auto industry was on the verge of...

Editorial: Mobilizing to aid immigrants

People in the Valley already are mobilizing to support immigrants who face an uncertain future after Donald Trump becomes president in January.Particularly at risk are undocumented immigrants. Trump has promised to deport between two and three million...

Editorial: History lessons in Hatfield

Hatfield takes local history seriously and its Historical Museum’s latest project opens a fascinating window to a bygone era of one of the town’s major industries.The Porter Machine Works was founded in 1886 by Jonathon E. Porter near the Mill River,...

Editorial: Hanukkah, Christmas stories of miracles

If you’re a child, this is the weekend when the magic of the holiday comes to life. But as much as there is “magic” involved, many people around the globe are celebrating two miracles this weekend. The first night of Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish...

Columnist Don Robinson: In season of Advent, what can we hope for?

By DON ROBINSON

Advent, the Christian season that concludes with the winter solstice, is a time of repentance and of hope, in preparation for the celebration of the birth of Christ.Believers understand Advent in the context of the history of Israel. Abraham entered...

Gloria DiFulvio: Where will you draw the line?

By GLORIA DIFULVIO

In a post-election Facebook post, Dan Rather had this to say: “Now is a time when none of us can afford to remain seated or silent. We must all stand and be counted.” The challenges we face after the election are beyond party and politics he...

Editorial: Charter vote sets right path for Amherst

The Amherst Charter Commission set a wise course this week in voting to study a mayor-council form of government that would replace representative Town Meeting, the Select Board and town manager.Monday’s 5-4 vote by the Charter Commission is the first...

Editorial: Women’s Fund has lasting impact

 The changes in priorities and direction of the government that come with a new president always create apprehension among citizens who feel at odds with the new administration.We know there are women, for example, who worry about the short- and...

Columnist J.M. Sorrell: Resistance necessary to protect democracy

By J.M. SORRELL

Over the last five weeks, I have been reflecting upon the results of the general election, and I have been grieving and feeling deep concern for the future of our country and the world at large.My integrity as a participant in society now must be more...

Columnist Naila Moreira: Environmental protections under attack

By NAILA MOREIRA

I sometimes startle people by saying I don’t have much hope for the environment.“But you’re an environmentalist!” they stutter. “Surely, you must think we can prevent nature from being destroyed? That taking action is worth it?”The other day, for...

Editorial: Downtown Northampton Association’s holiday cheer

Friday evening is a fine time to check out the cheerful holiday spirit brought to Main Street this year by the Downtown Northampton Association.The city’s first Holiday Stroll will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., coinciding with the monthly Arts Night Out,...

Editorial: Hampshire must lead dialogue after flag removed 

National attention is focused on Hampshire College, a private institution that finds itself at the crossroads of a debate that erupted after it temporarily stopped flying the American flag at the heart of its South Amherst campus.While the controversy...

Clare Higgins: Lessons local government can teach national political debate

I served on the Northampton City Council for six years during the 1990s. There were disputes, disagreements, unanimous votes and bitter feuds, all (mostly) debated and resolved by nine people elected by their peers to wrestle with the challenges of...

Barry Hirsch, MD: Why I will vote to legalize marijuana

In November I will be voting for the legalization of marijuana, but not because I think it is safe or has clear medical benefits as outlined by the Drug Enforcement Agency’s denied petition to reschedule marijuana.Our entire approach to this issue has...

Editorial: Good news, bad picture for Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton, who struggles to win public trust, squandered her limited supply of it by setting her own rules on email communications while secretary of state. And then she inflicted more damage on her reputation by misrepresenting the steps she...