Valley Bounty: Frolic into some festive fun: Agritourism thrives at local farms with holiday events and activities

Community weighs in on Maines Field renovation planning

NORTHAMPTON — After years of flooding damaged its roads and softball field, the city’s Parks & Recreation Department is planning a major renovation of Maines Field — and wants the community’s input on updating the century-old park. Planning for the park’s remake off Riverside Drive in Florence took center stage over two days last week […]

Beginning, Again: The ride that led home

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a four-part series, “Beginning, Again” about people who moved to this area during their retirement years. Today’s piece is about Catherine Martone and David Hallerman, bike riders who were drawn to this area for its extensive network of trails. Also featured is Gail Hornstein, who spent 30 years in […]

As Democratic Socialists gain ground nationally, a local chapter is growing too

Democratic socialist Sasha Morsmith doesn’t see much of a distinction between Democrats and Republicans. For her, they are the “two capitalist parties.” And increasingly, she is not alone. As co-chair of the River Valley Democratic Socialists of America (RVDSA), which spans Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden counties, she has watched the organization gain traction, especially in […]

Public invited to Picture Main Street info session

NORTHAMPTON — Following the submittal of its 100% design guidelines for the Picture Main Street project, the city is hosting an informational session to present its Main Street redesign plans to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at 180 Main St. The city first began submitting design plans to the Massachusetts Department […]

Amherst Media sells planned building site

AMHERST — Amherst Media’s quest to build a new headquarters and technology center on Main Street, a short distance from the Emily Dickinson Museum, is ending with the sale of the land it bought in 2013 for that purpose. The .56-acre site at 420 Main St., which had been eyed for the nonprofit’s new $1.3 […]