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By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Emergency response planners have identified occasional protests and civil unrest, a large population of younger residents without local roots, and the possibility of Connecticut River bridge crossings being compromised, thus isolating...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A $20.5 million development in North Amherst featuring 30 affordable homes, each of which will be owned by families, is getting another influx of money from the town, a commitment that should ensure ground can be broken next spring.The...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Abandoning plans to expand and renovate the Jones Library would necessitate pursuing a backup project that would be more costly and would take longer to modernize the Amity Street building, while leaving the library without needed amenities...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — An Army medic in the Vietnam War who earned a Purple Heart, Hadley resident Bob O’Neil returned home more than 50 years ago with no fanfare or community celebration recognizing his service.As with fellow resident, veteran and Purple Heart...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Hatch Laboratory, a late 19th century Colonial Revival wood-framed building and remnant of the Massachusetts Agricultural College at the University of Massachusetts campus, was demolished this week.Located at 140 Holdsworth Way, the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Developers interested in bringing a 55-and-over housing project to a 45-acre site between North Maple Street and Rocky Hill Road, and to a portion of the Hampton Inn Barn Shops property near the Coolidge Bridge, may seek zoning changes at...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The town’s Transportation Advisory Committee is supporting completion of the Massachusetts Central Rail Trail to improve accessibility, safety and commuting routes for bicyclists and pedestrians.The committee’s unanimous support for the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — The town’s Planning Board, which reviews development projects in town and proposes zoning amendments related to land use, is seeking a new member.The five-member elected board is currently down a member after Michael Sarsynski on July 18...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

A documentary profiling Swing-era clarinetist Artie Shaw, a musical comedy featuring 1960s-pop band The Monkees and one of African cinema’s first musicals are among this year’s selections in an annual summer celebration of music culture through film...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — Lake Wyola State Park’s beach continues to be closed to swimming this week due to high levels of Enterococci bacteria, with red flags placed on the beach and visitors informed about the situation at both the park entrance and by...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

WILLIAMSBURG — A brewery and taproom serving up suds in Framingham for the past eight years is relocating to Williamsburg, moving into the 4 Main St. space most recently occupied by Burgy Brews, which closed in March.Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Co. announced...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — A serious accident involving two boats that injured one person on Lake Wyola in June is prompting town officials to consider forming a committee to examine overhauling a bylaw that governs use of the 128-acre site.But with the Select...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Inspired by meals their mothers prepared for them while growing up, the owners of a new restaurant in the Mill District in North Amherst are bringing Caribbean-infused Mexican cuisine to a wider community. “We have the best dishes from...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Amherst, South Hadley and Holyoke are each getting more than $1 million grants from the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program to replace culverts, improve water quality and make the communities more resilient to floods.In Amherst, a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Another $800,000 in Community Preservation Act money is being recommended by Amherst officials so the $4.41 million plan to rebuild and reorient the Amherst Regional High School’s track and its interior field can proceed.While Amherst’s...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Planning Director Christine Brestrup, who has helped guide housing and commercial developments and improvements to municipal parks, and spearheaded a project to install signs so visitors can better find their way around town, is retiring...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Fiber-optic upgrades to improve Hadley’s emergency communications network, including enhancing responses to fire and burglar alarms, are nearing completion more than three years after the town solicited bids for the work.Fire Chief Michael...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — In the company of young donkey friends, miniature donkey Franklin has perked up, overcoming the grief of losing his life mate of 20 years.In a similar way, Rosie, another miniature donkey, who had once been left alone and without companions...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A demolition permit could soon be issued for an 1830 farmhouse and barn at the corner of Route 9 and East Street so that a new dentist office and parking can be constructed on site.The Historical Commission at its July 23 meeting was notified...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Giving the Town Council the power to hire its own attorney, shortening the lame duck period for outgoing councilors, and better delineating the powers of the town manager are among League of Women Voters of Amherst recommendations to improve...