Latest News
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Restoration in high gear for hard-hit hilltowns
PLAINFIELD — Prospect Street, Hallockville Road and Gloyd Street all remain closed in Plainfield as cleanup continues following a devastating wind storm that swept the hilltowns Monday on the heels of a snow and ice storm, but roads in Cummington have been opened. At least 101 customers in Plainfield remained without power, as well as 71 in Cummington, as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Ice-covered roads challenge Pioneer Valley residents, town crews
Harsh weather conditions of significant snow combined with freezing rain, a lack of adequate salt supply and a shortage of available workers has left residents up and down the Pioneer Valley in slippery situations.
Most Read
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Editors Picks
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Sports
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Youth hockey: Nonotuck Valley U12 Knights capture Ocean State President’s Classic title
The Easthampton-based Nonotuck Valley Hockey Association U-12 PeeWee hockey team participated in the Ocean State President’s Classic in Warwick, R.I., this past weekend from Feb. 15-17. The team celebrated President’s Day by bringing home the tournament championship after going undefeated – a perfect 4-0 – over the three-day span.
Opinion
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Guest columnist Richard S. Bogartz: Bang a pot, become us!
I’ve observed groups online discussing how to resist what is happening to our government. Mostly people are expressing their frustration at knowing something should be done but not knowing what, or how, and feeling so alone in their frustration.
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Your Daily Puzzles
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An approachable redesign to a classic. Explore our "hints."
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A quick daily flip. Finally, someone cracked the code on digital jigsaw puzzles.
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Chess but with chaos: Every day is a unique, wacky board.
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Word search but as a strategy game. Clearing the board feels really good.
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Align the letters in just the right way to spell a word. And then more words.
Business
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Embracing used clothing: UMass students finding success with new thrift, consignment shop
AMHERST — A consignment store to serve college campuses, offering inexpensive clothes and low-priced household items, was an idea hatched by students in a University of Massachusetts classroom.
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Arts & Life
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Speaking of Nature: A decade of waiting: Remembering my last visit from the Northern shrike
The kitchen windows face due east. The narrow writing desk is as wide as the double windows and looks out at my deck. Ten feet away is the deck railing and a collection of different feeders. The Birch Perch is there and another five feet away there is a giant lilac bush that fills the yard with perfume in May. But this is wintertime and the only thing the yard is full of now is the hustle and bustle of hungry birds as they bicker with one another over food.
Obituaries
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Seattle, WA - PETER ELBOW, Emeritus Professor of English at UMass Amherst and author of Writing Without Teachers, died unexpectedly on February 6, 2025 at age 89 in Seattle. He is survived by his wife Cami, children Abby and Ben, and ... remainder of obit for Peter Elbow
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Sunderland, MA - Mary Elizabeth (Martin) Warner, 102, died peacefully at home on February 7, 2025. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Edward Warner Sr. and her son Richard Warner. Mary is survived by her sons Ed Jr. and his wife... remainder of obit for Mary Warner
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Gail (Dunning) Zeitler Northampton, MA - Gail (Dunning) Zeitler aged 89 passed away on December 30, 2024. She was born in Florence, the daughter of Ira & Gladys (Campbell) Dunning. Gail was a graduate of Northampton High School. On N... remainder of obit for Gail Zeitler
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South Hadley, MA - Pamela Jean Bak passed away, after a ruthless battle with cancer, on February 12, 2025 with loved ones by her side. Pam was born on September 9, 1958 in Worcester, MA, daughter of the late Kenneth and Janette (Christi... remainder of obit for Pamela J. Bak