Nabad, Ronco advance in Ward 1 for Northampton City Council

What's next for Hampshire College land? Amherst forums favor mixed housing, farmland protection

AMHERST — New housing for a range of ages and incomes, protected open space and farmland, and the preservation of some existing buildings, possibly for community use, should be encouraged through rezoning of the Hampshire College campus, according to residents who took part in a pair of listening sessions and design workshops last week. Participants […]

Guest columnist Ted Munter: The test of Picture Main Street

Picture Main Street is a test of how we behave as neighbors. By 2032 — or whenever this all ends — we can be ready to point fingers, declare victory, say “I told you so,” or, more likely, acknowledge that some parts of the plan turned out well and others didn’t. But if we spend […]

Amherst Recreation Commission: Town should renew efforts for pickleball complex

AMHERST — Town officials should resume efforts to construct a dedicated municipal pickleball complex, a project paused last winter, according to members of the Amherst Recreation Commission. With appeals from pickleball enthusiasts to restripe a second tennis court at Mill River Recreation Area in North Amherst as an interim solution for providing four outdoor pickleball […]

Beacon Hill Roll Call, Sept. 21-25

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: On Nov. 3, or prior to that for voters who take advantage of early voting between Oct. 17-30, all voters will have the opportunity to vote on nine ballot questions that will become law if approved by the majority of voters. To get on the ballot, the groups backing each ballot […]

Area Briefs: Belchertown Education Foundation awards $23K in grants

Belchertown Education Foundation awards $23K in grants The Belchertown Education Foundation (BEF) has awarded seven grants totaling nearly $23,000 to Belchertown Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year, and $133,000 over the last decade.  “Our mission is to enrich the education of Belchertown Public School students by funding innovative, high-impact initiatives that would otherwise go unfunded,” BEF Board President Jennifer Faulkner said. “Soon we will celebrate 10 years of impact and share gratitude with all who have touched the Foundation in some way. It’s because of our community that we continue to grow. This year we’ve granted one of the largest […]