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By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Repairs to the asphalt shingle roof at the Hadley Public Library, a building that was constructed in the midst of the pandemic and opened on Middle Street four years ago, could cost up to $1 million, according to a report provided to the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys and weighted lap pillows were among equipment aimed at improving inclusivity and accessibility provided to children with sensory needs during the Amherst Recreation Department’s summer camps and swim...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A founder of a natural wine importing business is looking at Hadley properties that could be suitable for bottling wine from both in-state and out-of-state organic producers, as well as where locally-made wine could someday be produced and a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Many decisions around public ways, such as implementing traffic calming devices, extending sidewalks and reserving parking, could be made by a new Transportation and Parking Commission, if the Town Council agrees to its creation and the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Over the objections of some Town Council members with concerns about the process leading to his appointment, a new member is joining Amherst’s Planning Board.A divided Town Council on Monday confirmed Lawrence Kluttz of Dana Street to serve...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A federal lawsuit brought against the Amherst-Pelham Regional school district, as well as several current and former staff members, by a former middle school counselor contends that she and other counselors were targeted by colleagues and...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Proposed cost-cutting changes for the Jones Library’s expansion and renovation project will be reviewed by the Historical Commission Thursday evening, a final step before advertisements are placed, for a second time, seeking general...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HOLYOKE — A former Holyoke city councilor who joined the Russian Army earlier this year, leaving the United States after facing felony child pornography possession charges in Rhode Island, is shown stating, in Russian, “victory will be ours,” in a new...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — With a pause in plans to rebuild the aging bathhouse at War Memorial Pool, and discussions beginning about whether the town needs two full-size outdoor swimming pools during the summer, Amherst Recreation officials say having both facilities...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An annual tradition since the 1950s, the Rotary Club of Amherst Town Fair returns to the Town Common for three days beginning Aug. 23.Bringing amusements including a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round and a climbing wall, food booths with cotton...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A future site for supportive affordable housing and a permanent homeless shelter on Main Street, a short distance from the town center, is ready for development following the recent demolition of the former VFW headquarters for the Earl J....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — A three-way race between Republicans for a Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat is the only contest on the state primary ballot Sept. 3, with Democratic ballots featuring candidates but no contests and Libertarian ballots having no...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Whether from permanent residents or college students, homeowners or renters, or supporters or critics of law enforcement, Police Chief Gabriel Ting values a wide variety of input and opinions to improve how his department serves Amherst.“To...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Planning for a youth empowerment and cultural center, a recommendation from the Community Safety Working Group in a report delivered to the Town Council three years ago, remains in progress, even after town officials pledged $500,000 from...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The chance for kids to touch a truck, car seat inspections and K-9 demonstrations will be part of the town’s third Community Safety Day on Saturday, one of a number of activities happening around Amherst over the course of the morning,...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Continued staffing challenges for small-town fire departments that depend on on-call and volunteer firefighters to respond to emergencies is prompting officials in Shutesbury, Leverett, Wendell and New Salem to examine ways to potentially...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Every Tuesday morning over the course of the warm weather months, during a time when taking a dip at Puffer’s Pond is a popular pastime, a town conservation staff member arrives to collect water from both the north and south beaches, placing...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Lynnette M. Watkins, who has served as Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s president and chief operating officer for nearly three years, has left the position.Reached by phone Wednesday morning, Watkins, who began her tenure at the hospital...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A University of Massachusetts union representing 1,500 campus employees is calling out the administration for “authoritarian” actions and cracking down on free speech after learning that two student leaders of the Students for Justice in...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A sufficient number of employees at the Trader Joe’s store in Hadley have signed onto a petition seeking to decertify the union formed two years ago, meaning the National Labor Relations Board will determine if a vote should be held on the...