Guest columnist Paige Cerulli: Big solar is coming for small towns and it’s everyone’s problem

Amherst man admits to violent threats against police, public

SPRINGFIELD — A 24-year-old Amherst man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court after he made violent threats on social media targeting law enforcement officers, a grocery store and a federal building. Luke Brissie pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transmission of threatening communications, more than a year after he was arrested and charged last […]

On stop in region, Adam Kinzinger warns apathy opens door to authoritarianism

SPRINGFIELD — Imagine an alien arriving on Earth and being told about all the world’s countries, from France to Germany to Sudan. Which one would seem most destined to collapse? The United States, according to former U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger. “Of all those countries, that one right there [America] is the one that’s going to […]

Guest columnist Richard Szlosek: The overlooked legacy of Stephen Mizwa

As an aging third generation Polish American resident of Northampton, I sense that appreciation of that heritage is on the wane in the public consciousness. October is Polish Heritage Month but I suspect it will be little noted. Pulaski Day is on Oct. 12, but I am sure the coverage for Indigenous American Day will overshadow it. Casimir Pulaski gave his life fighting for American independence at the Battle of Savannah during the Revolutionary War. He is honored throughout the nation with towns and counties named for him. Nor was Pulaski the only Pole to risk his life; at least 1,000 […]

Early fall marks busy season for stinging insects, experts advise

Experts warn that stinging insect populations increase in early fall and advise taking preventive measures to distinguish between bees and more aggressive wasps to avoid painful encounters.

Ashfield FilmFest screening of ‘Girl Climber’ inspires talk on women in male-dominated sports

The Ashfield FilmFest kicked off its opening night with a screening of the documentary "Girl Climber," which follows mountaineer Emily Harrington's quest to scale El Capitan in less than 24 hours.