A new leash on life: Hadley father leaves corporate world to start dog training business with son

An evening of wonder: Look Park hosts outdoor pumpkin art trail in October

Look Park in Northampton will host ALLURA Pumpkin Art Spectacular, a family-friendly outdoor pumpkin art trail, over the course of 15 nights beginning next week. The trail features pumpkin art set up in 13 scenes with designs that include, among others, fantasy creatures like fairies and dragons as well as images based on movies like […]

Book Review: Wales-based author Jason Prokowiew's 'War Boys' is a peace offering between father and son

Jason Prokowiew wasn’t trained to use his voice. As a self-described fat and queer kid born in 1976 in Sudbury, Mass., the budding writer endured abuse that no one named. “Body positivity” didn’t exist yet. Ellen wasn’t out. So it was no surprise, really, when the school bully sat behind him in class, waiting for […]

A faithful calling: Rev. Vicki Kemper to step away from pulpit at First Church Amherst

AMHERST — One of the first United Church of Christ congregations in the United States to declare itself open and affirming, First Church Amherst has regularly been at the forefront of faith-based social justice causes. Whether helping the LGBTQIA+ community to the full life of the church or ensuring rights for immigrants, promoting environmental protections […]

Connections Cafe: Hadley program offers respite for caregivers of those with memory loss

HADLEY — Seated at a table in the Hadley Senior Center cafeteria on a recent weekday afternoon, Sherry and Darryl McKenney engage in conversations with others as they await a performance by a local musical and comedy duo. “Being with other people, for both him and for me, gives us connections,” says Sherry McKenney, who […]

Amherst Olympia Drive fire: State lab still examining material 10 months after blaze

AMHERST — An investigation remains active into a November 2025 fire that destroyed an apartment building under construction and spread to the neighboring Olympia Place, destroying the homes of some 230 people, mostly University of Massachusetts students. The fire broke out the evening of Nov. 7 at the construction site at 47 Olympia Drive. Intense heat carried the flames to the five-story, 230-bed Olympia Place at 57 Olympia Drive, which was also consumed in the blaze. Fire Chief Lindsay Stromgren said Tuesday that material from the 47 Olympia Drive site continues to be examined in a state laboratory, as investigators try […]