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By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Two Massachusetts state senators and several Jewish-affiliated groups are calling on the Massachusetts Teachers Association, led by an Amherst resident and University of Massachusetts professor, to distance itself from recent actions that...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

SHUTESBURY — After 10 years as principal at Shutesbury Elementary School, Jacqueline Mendonsa is leaving the position at the end of June to relocate to the Boston area.“It is very hard for me to put into words my true love and appreciation for our...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Understanding that chronic absences affect the ability of students to learn and contributes to achievement gaps among some school populations, the Amherst-Pelham Regional schools are developing steps to reduce absenteeism as part of its...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A five-story mixed-use building to be attached to the historic Hastings building at 45 South Pleasant St. can move forward following final site plan review and special permit approvals from the Planning Board.Board members unanimously...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Editor’s note: The first of three finalists for the job of superintendent was interviewed this week. Stories about visits of the other two finalists will appear when they interview the week of April 22.AMHERST — A strong work ethic, an ability to...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Special programs and projects outside of school budget funding are being supported with $24,594 in grants from the Amherst Education Foundation, which is in its 30th year of helping educators at the four Amherst and Pelham elementary schools...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — About 500 electric-assisted bicycles at 78 stations in eight area communities could be returning later this spring as ValleyBike Share gets ready to relaunch with a new vendor.Amherst this week became one of the final communities to enter...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As a University of Massachusetts doctoral student in physics, Mark Murdy has seen his wages as a graduate employee decline relative to inflation, meaning he, like others who work on campus, is taking home less money.Amid these financial...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A request for nearly $1 million more from the four member towns of the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District to support a $35.75 million fiscal year 2025 budget for the regional schools is being met with a lukewarm response and skepticism...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A Puffer’s Pond improvement plan, with recommendations for enhancing both the dam and the dike surrounding the body of water, could be developed through funding from a state grant program.Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek announced to the...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — The town is moving ahead with a revised residential rental property bylaw that will replace the current complaint-driven inspection system with a requirement that all rental homes be inspected once every five years, despite objections from a...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A special education teacher who previously led the teachers union has filed a federal discrimination and defamation lawsuit against the Amherst-Pelham Regional Schools, its current interim superintendent and its former leaders.An...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — A proposal to bring an electric vehicle charging station to the municipal parking lot between the Hadley Public Library and Hadley Senior Center is being put off by the Select Board until a determination is made on whether reserving spaces...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Mount Pollux in Amherst and The History of Women Mural in Northampton are among area locations visible in the first trailer released for “Janet Planet,” the feature film directorial debut from playwright Annie Baker that is expected to hit...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — Hopkins Academy is one of five schools across Massachusetts that will be home to a Clean Energy Innovation Pathways pilot, with students getting hands-on learning opportunities related to the renewable energy sector.On Wednesday, Gov. Maura...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Bill Hairston was one of the first people to greet Cathie McCoy on the day she began attending services at College Church back in 1977.A quiet man who made coffee and stayed at the back of the church, it wasn’t until McCoy and a friend...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

HADLEY — As a proposed energy storage bylaw continues to be refined by the Planning Board in advance of annual Town Meeting next month, some residents are questioning whether it’s appropriate to allow such systems in Hadley.“Sometimes we have to stand...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Often during search-and-rescue efforts, emergency personnel in the field prioritize helping those lost, trapped or otherwise in trouble, rather than focusing on their own safety and well-being.Understanding the risks they take, a group...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Residents of the Echo Village neighborhoods between Pelham and Belchertown roads appear to be mostly supportive of a project that will bring sidewalks, three mini roundabouts and possibly lower speed limits to the streets.At a recent Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A municipal resettlement commission that would help to find housing for up to 90 individuals who are seeking asylum in the United States is being proposed by an Amherst resident.For the first time in writing, after pitching a similar concept...