Search Results

By Line search: By ALEXA LEWIS

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — At the annual Town Meeting this Saturday, voters will be asked to approve a $7.6 million operating budget, give the town permission to acquire and preserve 235 acres, borrow $230,000 for a solar array on the public safety complex and more.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Three Easthampton farms have been recognized by The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation as recipients of this year’s Local Farmer Awards. Underline Farm, Mountain View Farm and Park Hill Orchard are among the 116 recipients of the community-funded grant initiative, which aims to support farm improvements across western Massachusetts.

By ALEXA LEWIS

HOLYOKE — Unperturbed by the rain that pelted their colorful signs, dozens of impassioned community members hailing from cities and towns across the region gathered in song and frustration to protest state “green energy” infrastructure siting practices they think will be more harmful to the environment than helpful.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — Town Meeting voters approved an $897,000 general override to cover unanticipated costs at Norris Elementary School on Tuesday night, a decision that will prevent the elimination of 10 full-time school positions if it passes at the Town Election on May 20.

By ALEXA LEWIS

As the cardinals in Vatican City prepare to begin a conclave to select a new pope on Wednesday, Bishop William Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield said that local Catholics are in a period of prayer as they eagerly await the election of “a joyful shepherd who will lead the 1.4 billion Catholics in the world.”

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTHAMPTON — When Joseph Shrand visited Hampshire Regional High School this week, he wasn’t trying to scare kids away from using drugs. Instead, he sought to change their perceptions around drug use, and give them knowledge they might use one day to save a life.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — A city native who has spent his entire 23-year career in law enforcement with the Easthampton Police Department was named police chief on Friday morning.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — At the annual Town Meeting on May 6, residents will weigh in on the town’s roughly $24 million fiscal 2026 budget – including whether to approve an $879,000 override to cover unexpected costs at Norris Elementary School. 

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Under the watchful eye of Michelle Prindle, 10-year-old Carya Verson worked on perfecting a short song on the piano on a Monday afternoon. She began by playing a lilting melody with her right hand before moving onto some deeper notes with her left. When she combined the two, music filled the small room to the brim.

By ALEXA LEWIS

WESTFIELD — Jupiter Power has withdrawn its plans for a lithium battery energy storage system (BESS) in Westfield, over the Barnes Aquifer, after months of resistance from area residents.

By ALEXA LEWIS

The Trump administration has eliminated roughly $1 million in funding from the Environmental Protection Agency to the state Department of Public Health intended specifically to address asthma in western Massachusetts, according to Gov. Maura Healey’s office. This termination comes shortly after the American Lung Association reported a decline in air quality across the state and region.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The city announced this week that construction is set to commence on the Manhan Rail Trail — the first updates to many sections of the trail since it was first constructed over 20 years ago. 

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — The city has named Easthampton Police Lt. Chad Alexander and Longmeadow Police Captain Carl Mazzaferro as finalists to lead the Easthampton Police Department.

By ALEXA LEWIS

NORTHAMPTON — As the weather warms up and the outdoors become lush with greenery again, Cyrus Copen is looking forward to tidying up overgrown spaces.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Sparked by resident worries that an American flag that has flown over Nashawannuck Pond for nearly 25 years between Memorial Day and Veterans Day may have come down for good, a City Council subcommittee began the process Tuesday night of drafting regulations that they hope would bring the flag back.

By ALEXA LEWIS

City councils in Easthampton and Holyoke have unanimously passed resolutions opposing the siting of a lithium battery energy storage system, or BESS, project over the Barnes Aquifer in Westfield.

By ALEXA LEWIS

EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton High School’s We The People team has returned from yet another year competing at the national level in Washington, D.C. While the team did not make it to finals, as they did last year, the students in Kelley Brown’s class say they’ve obtained knowledge, skills and friendships more valuable than any title.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — The town’s yearlong 250th anniversary celebration is going strong, with a lineup of community events available this spring.

By ALEXA LEWIS

NORTHAMPTON — In a recent survey, Smith College found that 82% of its student athletes feel disconnected from their “Pioneers” moniker. Now, the school is searching for a new mascot for the community to rally behind.

By ALEXA LEWIS

SOUTHAMPTON — This weekend, the First Congregational Church of Southampton will celebrate Easter in a non-traditional way — by holding a standout for democracy.