Easthampton advances sale of former Town Lodging House

Galvin defends ballot questions as a 'safety valve' amid reform push

BOSTON — As lawmakers weigh reforms to the ballot question process, the state’s top election official called it a “safety valve for democracy,” and said “you might change some of the procedures, but you shouldn’t change the concept.” The House passed a bill in July to expand disclosure rules for ballot question campaigns and impose new requirements around paid signature gathering. That version was an expansion of a bill the Senate passed in January to require more public reporting on ballot question fundraising and spending. The House bill calls for a special legislative commission to review the entire initiative petition process […]

UMass football: Minutemen move to 2-0 with dominant victory over Sacred Heart

AMHERST — The momentum of the UMass football team continued with a commanding 37-10 win over FCS opponent Sacred Heart at a festive and crowded McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The crowd erupted when UMass started with a two-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The Minutemen scored in 40 seconds. UMass scored in all three phases […]

South Hadley school staff win pay raises as health costs, override loom

SOUTH HADLEY — The four units of the South Hadley Education Association (SHEA) have ratified a new three-year contract with wage increases for all staff just three months after many of its members demonstrated against the School Committee’s proposal in June. The units are currently in the second year of the contract after the 254 […]

Holyoke art show to celebrate Greenfield artist’s pride in Puerto Rican heritage

Greenfield artist Emily Roman is scheduled to host her first solo art exhibit, titled "Patria," at Nueva Esperanza's Galeria in Holyoke on Sept. 16 to celebrate her Puerto Rican heritage.

North Hatfield landscaping business faces neighbor complaints over lighting, compliance

HATFIELD — While residents who live near a landscaping company in North Hatfield are filing complaints with town officials about its operations, it’s uncertain whether the business is out of compliance with the site plans and special permit approved two years ago. “These concerns and complaints that are being entertained, for a building that was still under construction, in […]