Around Amherst: Regional schools weigh higher fees for sports, parking
Columnist Russ Vernon-Jones: Us vs. billionaires is a unifying call
Leader of Food Bank of Western Massachusetts worried about SNAP reductions
‘Budget buster:’ Spiking health insurance costs burdening local municipal budgets
It’s all about the Irish: Holyoke ready for annual St. Patrick’s Day road race, parade this weekend
Amherst councilor to seek revisions to budget guidelines so schools can get more money
Holyoke mayor pitches PILOT policy for tax exempt properties
Trump will order a plan to shut down the US Education Department
Area property deed transfers, March 21
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 700 retailers operating across the state. Yet stores are closing, companies are firing their workers and retail and non-retail licenses are being surrendered by former operators as business owners clamor for regulatory changes to transform an industry they see as unsustainable.
Five-story building set to rise at former Rafter’s site in Amherst
AMHERST — Site work related to construction of a five-story, mixed-use building at the corner of Amity Street and University Drive is expected to begin before summer, following final approvals from the Planning Board last week.
Most Read
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
Northampton woman jailed in dog death
Activists arrested after occupying L3Harris lobby in Northampton
Jam-packed McGovern town hall calls for resistance to Trump moves, stronger Dem Party
Belchertown rolls out welcome mat for businesses
UMass diverting money to new fund that will cover federal funding losses
Editors Picks
A Look Back, March 21
Arts Briefs: Silent film in Florence, McCartney’s music in Northampton, and more
‘Apologizing is a courageous act’: Forbes Library to host an apology installation and workshop
‘Let’s be vulnerable together’: K and E Theater Group finds light in the darkness with ‘Spring Awakening’ performances in Northampton
Sports
Smith College reaches Div. III National Championship Game for second straight year following 49-47 victory over Wisconsin-Oshkosh
It’ll be a rematch in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship game.
Amherst College women’s hockey to host Colby in quarterfinal matchup on Saturday
UMass women’s basketball: Minutewomen cruise past Stonehill, 86-40, in opening round of WNIT 
UMass Hockey: Standout forward Cole O’Hara in the mix for Hobey Baker Award
Smith College heads to Final Four to face familiar foe University of Wisconsin-OshkoshOpinion
Janet Gary: Calling the non-emergency number works
At 4:30 in the morning, my husband was drinking his first cup of coffee, yes, really that early. He heard a sound that wasn’t part of the normal din of an old house. So he went down to the basement to investigate. He found water spraying all over from the outside water service line. It had a hole ahead of the shutoff valve, so there was nothing he could do except seek help.
Mark Paglia: Time for senators to act
Michael Klare and Andrea Ayvazian: Mayor Sciarra a competent, compassionate leader
Douglas Beattie: Raising a stink and beating our drums
Joe Gannon: Like chickens coming home to roost
Your Daily Puzzles
An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business
State pilot program puts restaurant takeout meals on food aid menus around region
NORTHAMPTON — More than a half-dozen restaurants in Hampshire County are partnering with survival centers in Northampton and Amherst to provide free meals to those facing food insecurity in the region as part of a larger initiative taking place statewide.
Mill River Music jams: Northampton guitar shop relocates to larger digs on King Street
Making News in Business, March 21
The Roost set to close in Northampton after 14 years
Compassionate barbers: Easthampton shop Hero Barber is growing thanks to its inclusive atmosphere e-Edition
Arts & Life
Fight like a girl: Professional boxer launches women-only, all-level classes in Greenfield
Local author, naturalist and former boxer Vanessa Chakour is leading a women’s boxing class at Franklin County’s YMCA.
There is a Season with Molly Parr: The secret’s in the sauce: Gluten-free, dairy-free Fried Tofu with Sweet and Sour Noodles
Macbeth, up close and personal: Second annual Montague Shakespeare Festival puts a new spin on the ‘psychological dark power drama’
Speaking of Nature: The bluebird of happiness: Finding solace in the birds at my feeders
The Oxbow over time: New book, ‘The Oxbow Since Thomas Cole,’ examines how the area has and hasn’t changed in the last 200 yearsObituaries
Guy Russell Marrocco
Northampton, MA - Dr. Guy Russell Marrocco, MD, MPH April 2, 1938 January 10, 2025 On January 10, 2025, Dr. Guy Russell Marrocco passed away at Baystate Regional Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, following a brief sta... remainder of obit for Guy Russell Marrocco
Robert M. Allen
Fort Worth, TX - Robert Madison Allen Jr. Robert "Bobby" Allen, of Fort Worth, Texas and formerly of Southampton, Massachusetts, born 05/26/60 in Northampton, Mass. to Robert Allen Sr. and Ann Bristol, and a graduate of Hampshire Regio... remainder of obit for Robert M. Allen
David Carl Schmittlein
David Schmittlein Boston, MA - David Carl Schmittlein passed away peacefully on March 13th after a battle with cancer. Dave was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on April 15th, 1955 to Theresa and Carl Schmittlein, the oldest of six. ... remainder of obit for David Carl Schmittlein
Charles B. Hunter
Leeds, MA - Charles B. Hunter of Leeds, age 78, passed away Monday March 17. Charles (Charlie) was born on December 12, 1946, in Springfield, Ma, the Son of Mary D. and Almon P. Hunter. Charles lived in Longmeadow Ma. until enlisting in... remainder of obit for Charles B. Hunter
