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By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — After 16 months and 60 meetings, the Charter Commission recommended Thursday that a 13-member town council and professional town manager replace Town Meeting and the Select Board.The commission, established by voters in March 2016 to examine...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A 19th-century farmhouse in North Amherst that has been used as a college-student rental in recent years could be demolished, along with an adjacent barn, to make way for another phase of the Mill District development.The Historical...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A permanent bandstand for musical acts, theater and other pastimes is being proposed for the eastern edge of the Town Common, near the Lord Jeffery Inn, by the Amherst Business Improvement District.“The time is right with all the talk about...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

LEVERETT — Following a divorce in which her husband kept the family’s dwelling, Jennifer Thornton spent more than a year living in apartments while searching for a new home where she and her two children could live.Thornton said she wasn’t sure she...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A restaurant that boasted dishes the owners described as fresh and adventurous and encouraged musicians to come and entertain its patrons has closed after six years.The Lumber Yard Restaurant, 383 Main St. in the Dickinson Historic District,...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

NORTHAMPTON — Western Mass is the new brand being unveiled in a joint marketing campaign by the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts to promote the region to tourists and draw...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Jim Brassord has competed in a number of marathons and Ironman competitions, but it’s been the near daily rowing of his boat northward along the eastern seaboard that he describes as the most grueling activity he’s ever undertaken.More than a month...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — While a downtown church is not promising physical sanctuary for immigrants who may be questioned by authorities and are at risk of being deported, its members are doing everything they can to ensure their neighbors are welcomed and protected...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — For one group of sixth graders at Fort River School, many plastic bottles are being thrown into the trash because there is no incentive to recycle items that can't be redeemed for a cash deposit.On Friday morning, a visit from State Rep....

By SCOTT MERZBACH

With a driver’s permit in hand and a desire to work, Amherst teenager Cady Bestor is confident that for part of the summer she’ll have a job, getting both experience in the workplace and money for spending or saving.But with the school year ending in...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Grace Episcopal Church is concluding its year-long sesquicentennial events with a “salute to founders” procession, a world music performance and a visit by Bishop Doug Fisher on Sunday.The marking of the 150th anniversary of the founding of...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — An Amherst Police response to the Town Common for a fight, allegedly involving one person wielding a large knife, led to two arrests Tuesday evening, according to police.Detective Lt. William Menard said officers went to the Town Common at...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Weeds are a major cause of crop failure at organic farms, making the equipment used in controlling their growth important to the successful production of fruits and vegetables.“After harvesting, it’s our biggest labor,” says Jeremy...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Police Chief Scott Livingstone are pledging to be more sensitive to the community during investigations into youth bullying after concerns were raised by parents who were not present when a police officer...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

At the Horace Kellogg Homestead Bed and Breakfast on South Pleasant Street in Amherst, visitors since its 2004 opening have had the opportunity to stay in two of the historic home’s bedrooms and enjoy a full morning meal prepared by innkeeper Susan...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — As part of a farewell tour leading up to his retirement from the Boston Red Sox last fall, David Ortiz received an honor from Boston city leaders of having the Brookline Avenue bridge, near Fenway Park, renamed the Big Papi Bridge.Noting her...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Getting approval from Town Meeting to pursue a state grant for expanding and renovating the Jones Library is a step that will allow library officials to remain engaged with residents while pursuing the project.“It was terrific that Town...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — Residents and visitors craving locally made ice cream as warm weather arrives will still have a place to get the summertime treat in downtown Amherst.Though Amherst Homemade Ice Cream and Cookies at 103 North Pleasant St. hasn’t yet reopened...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A sizable shortfall in the projected revenues for Cherry Hill Golf Course is prompting Town Manager Paul Bockelman to pledge to make its operations a major focus of a strategic plan centered on town recreation.Financial figures presented to...

By SCOTT MERZBACH

AMHERST — A recently installed monument at West Cemetery honoring a family of black soldiers who fought for the Union during the Civil War will be dedicated Saturday afternoon.The memorial, which also serves as a gravestone for the final resting place...